Beech Hill Primary School Nursery

Biscuits baked for Lincrest Court residents give Beech Hill’s nursery a concrete expression of kindness: young children making something for people in their local community. That is a useful glimpse of its character. Learning here includes thinking about other people, alongside the early language and number work of the nursery day.

The nursery belongs to Beech Hill Primary School on Linhope Road in West Denton, where children join the school from age three. The school aims for children to feel loved, safe and happy. Ofsted judged its early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 March 2023; that judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Stories have an active role in early learning. In March 2023, children in early years listened to stories, repeated vocabulary and imitated movements as they joined in. This gives children ways to participate while developing their communication. Adults had established predictable routines that children picked up readily, helping them understand what happens next.

The early years foundation stage includes learning about sounds and numbers here. Subject leaders also worked together to develop subject knowledge beginning in Nursery, so early learning connects with the curriculum children encounter later. Development Matters is used to assess children’s progress in early years.

Nursery themes include Let’s Settle in autumn, followed by Let’s Party, with Power of Three in spring and The Great Change in summer. Beyond school, nursery experiences include a Santa visit at a farm and exploring mini beasts and butterflies at Scotswood Nature Gardens. These give children concrete experiences to talk about. Within the school grounds, the nature garden has drawing blackboards, reflective mirrors, wind chimes and seating among trees and plants, providing different prompts for exploration.

Language support begins early. In March 2023, leaders responded promptly when children entered early years needing help with communication. For families concerned about additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact. Across the school, support includes two specialist SEN teaching assistants or nursery nurses, alongside help from SENTASS to identify needs and monitor support.

Settling has a place in both the nursery’s Let’s Settle theme and the school’s belonging work, which aims to help children adjust to a new class. A Family Support Officer works full time in school, helping with parenting, behaviour and emotional wellbeing. This gives families a route for discussing difficulties beyond classroom learning.

School meals use picture menus and wristbands: children choose an option at registration, then exchange the matching band for lunch. Late arrivals receive a white band and a meal option prepared for that group. The system makes meal choice visual and gives the kitchen advance information.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process and meet its deadline. Newcastle City Council is the route for school-place applications, while Beech Hill handles nursery applications directly. Treat these as separate decisions when planning your child’s next step.

Nursery applications can be requested by telephone, post, online or in person. Contact the office on 0191 267 8113 or email admin@beechhill.newcastle.sch.uk; families can also contact the school to arrange a look around.

The usual funded entitlement is 15 hours over 38 weeks, with eligible working parents able to receive an additional 15 hours for a three- or four-year-old. Eligibility begins in the term following the child’s third birthday. The entitlement can be spread across more than 38 weeks; this describes the funding structure rather than a nursery booking pattern.