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Nursery at Easterside Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, songs and outdoor play give Easterside Academy’s nursery its character. This is the school’s own provision in Middlesbrough, with space for 24 children per session and entry usually shortly after a child turns three, subject to places. Most children attend a morning or afternoon session; eligible families can take a 30-hour place.
A separate provision for two-year-olds was announced for September 2026. That announcement concerns a younger age group than the established nursery. In October 2022, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good, a judgement covering early years rather than a separate nursery inspection.
Early reading starts with listening and conversation. Nursery children hear stories daily, join in songs and rhymes, and practise oral blending: hearing separate sounds and putting them together in speech. Adult-led activities sit alongside experiences chosen by children. This gives the youngest learners ways to build attention and language before tackling written words.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) day includes structured teaching and independent activity. In October 2022, adults provided useful language models during teaching sessions, while mathematics across early years prepared children for their next stage. The early years outdoor area had good learning resources, and children enjoyed playing there. Outdoors therefore contributes to learning as well as play.
Teaching consistency. Adult interaction outside structured sessions was uneven in October 2022, with chances to extend learning missed. Some children also found sustained attention and finishing independent tasks difficult. Phonics teaching had inconsistencies, and some children reached the end of early years with gaps in their knowledge. These findings make support during independent play and early language work useful points to consider when choosing the nursery.
The nursery team includes a lead practitioner and two teaching assistants. The lead practitioner also holds the school’s speech and language lead role and is a higher level teaching assistant, linking nursery staffing with a specific area of early development.
When a nursery place becomes free, the Nursery Lead contacts the family to start induction and transition. Stay-and-play sessions bring parents into early years activities; in October 2022, regular contact through these sessions strengthened the connection between home and school.
For children needing additional support, the school uses a cycle of assessment, planning, action and review. Parents can raise concerns and work with staff on identifying needs. Speech and Language services and Applied Psychologies are among its external partners, giving families routes to specialist involvement where needed.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two decisions.
The Enquire Learning Trust is the school’s admissions authority. The school directs families to Middlesbrough Council for information about school admissions. Induction into nursery is a settling process, rather than an entitlement to a later school place.
The 2025–2026 nursery timetable gave morning sessions as 8:45am–11:45am and afternoons as 12:15pm–3:15pm. Its 30-hour pattern ran from 8:45am to 3:15pm. These are the arrangements for that dated school year.
Register interest through the school office on 01642 273006. A waiting list operates when places are full, so the usual starting point after a third birthday remains subject to availability. School tours can be arranged for parents and carers, providing an opportunity to discuss joining before committing to a session pattern.
Children usually start shortly after their third birthday, unless places are full and a waiting list is operating.
The nursery has capacity for 24 children within a session.
Yes, 30-hour places are offered to eligible families.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Contact the school office on 01642 273006 to register interest or arrange a school tour.
