Whinney Banks Primary School Nursery

Stories, conversation and growing independence give the early years at Whinney Banks Primary School their character. The nursery belongs to the primary school on Fakenham Avenue in Middlesbrough, with provision for two-year-olds alongside nursery places for children aged three and four.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 10 and 11 June 2025. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. Language development is a clear strength: children build the vocabulary that helps them tackle later learning.

Conversation does real teaching work here. In June 2025, early years children learned through stories and sustained exchanges with adults, while activities encouraged both communication and independence. Children took an active interest in those activities and were eager to share their work. Learning to explain an idea matters alongside learning to do something independently.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) includes Expressive Arts and Design. Here, that means exploring ideas and feelings through creative work. Drawing, painting and colour mixing feature in the early art content, alongside learning how textures feel. Children encounter art as something to explore with their senses, giving them concrete experiences to describe as their vocabulary grows.

Predictable routines also shape learning. In June 2025, early years staff understood the children closely and used consistent routines to guide behaviour. Those familiar expectations helped children prepare for their next steps.

Preparation starts before a child begins nursery. Parents are invited to meet the nursery team, discuss everyday routines and ask questions. This gives families a chance to understand how the setting works before their child starts attending.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) involves the class teacher and SEND coordinator. Children receiving SEND Support have individual plans, with targets reviewed each term alongside parents. The nursery teacher is also part of the school's SEND Support Team, connecting nursery teaching with the wider support structure.

Practical adaptations include school spaces where children with sensory processing needs can spend time quietly. Medical needs are addressed through individual Health Care Plans developed with parents and updated when necessary. Teaching assistants hold current first aid qualifications. These arrangements give families specific ways to discuss support, rather than relying on a general promise of inclusion.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate application through Middlesbrough Council's school admissions process, even when their child already attends this nursery. Treat that application as a separate decision and meet the deadline for the relevant entry year.

Transition support has a different purpose. Teachers pass information and individual records to the next teacher; children needing additional help with a move can visit their new teacher and become familiar with the surroundings. These steps support adjustment to a new class. They do not secure a school place.

For eligible two-year-olds, the pattern is 15 hours each week during term time, divided into five sessions of three hours, either mornings or afternoons. All those hours must be registered with Whinney Banks. Session changes depend on space, so the pattern needs to fit the family's week.

Two-year-old entry is from the term following the second birthday and is restricted to children entitled to Achieving 2-Year-old funding. Parents provide their entitlement code to arrange admission, subject to places being available. For the older nursery provision, 15 hours are offered through morning or afternoon attendance; the school also works with other providers offering a further 15 hours.

Enquiries go to office@whinneybanks.org.uk or 01642 817713.