St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Nursery

Stories, role-play and children's own choices shape the early years approach at St Augustine's. This is the school's nursery for three-year-olds, on Gunnergate Lane in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. Morning and afternoon sessions give the provision a clear half-day rhythm, with nursery teaching and nursery nurse roles within the staff team.

Play provides the starting point. Children choose learning activities from resources kept ready for them, while adults introduce focused activities where appropriate. The early years curriculum responds to children's interests and needs; observations and assessments help staff decide what to introduce next. For parents, that means children's choices and adult planning both have a place in the session.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about movement, communication and relationships with early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. These areas connect rather than operating as separate school subjects. Language receives particular attention: conversation, stories and a planned selection of books give children opportunities to develop how they express themselves.

Role-play areas and practical activities using different senses feature in the indoor and outdoor learning environments. This gives children ways to explore through doing as well as talking. In October 2024, children in early years enjoyed exchanging favourite books and singing familiar rhymes. They also took on jobs during the day, giving them an introduction to responsibility through participation in everyday school life.

Nursery teachers and a nursery nurse form part of the staffing structure. In October 2024, caring relationships began in early years and continued as children progressed through school. That continuity matters for young children learning to trust adults beyond their family.

For special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school uses a graduated process: classroom support comes first, with specialist expertise brought in as needed. Teachers and the SEND coordinator consider children's progress alongside parents' views when deciding on additional provision. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher or SEND coordinator, giving families a direct route into those discussions.

A Sensory Space and quieter areas inside the school and in the playground are part of the school's SEND provision. These are school facilities, rather than a description of the nursery classroom. The school also uses emotion coaching and restorative practices to support emotional and social needs.

Learning support. The October 2024 inspection identified inconsistency in classroom help across the school, including missed opportunities to correct misunderstandings. This school-wide concern makes timely support a useful focus in discussions about a child's learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing a nursery session and applying for Reception as two separate decisions; familiarity with the school does not itself secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30am to 11:30am; the afternoon session runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Those different collection times matter when coordinating childcare or an older sibling's day.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01642 599001. A nursery application form is available through the school's admissions route. Use the nursery session times when planning your day, and the school term dates when planning around holidays and staff training days.