Cheviot Primary School Nursery Review

Learning to get along with other children and understand the world gives Cheviot’s early years provision its clearest character. At the Ofsted inspection on 17 and 18 May 2022, early years provision was graded Good, with positive findings about children’s social development and learning. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The nursery belongs to Cheviot Primary School on Yetholm Place in Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. In May 2022, early years provision included two-year-olds, placing younger children alongside the school’s nursery offer at that time.

Social learning matters here. In May 2022, adults helped early years children develop their understanding of the world as well as their ability to interact with others. For parents, that gives the learning a practical purpose: relationships and understanding develop together, rather than the nursery experience being judged only by early reading.

Learning also had a planned starting point in the Nursery class. In May 2022, the curriculum was sequenced so that knowledge developed through the school, beginning in nursery. The implication is that nursery learning formed part of a longer educational sequence, rather than being treated as an isolated stage.

Early reading. In May 2022, the curriculum for beginning readers needed attention. Phonics lacked sufficiently clear organisation, and some children received reading books beyond the sounds they could decode. Matching books to children’s existing sound knowledge was an improvement priority. For families, the practical issue is whether a child can successfully read the book they are given, not simply whether they bring one home.

Settling into shared routines was a positive feature in May 2022. The youngest children adapted promptly to expectations and the pattern of school life. This matters for children making the adjustment to a group setting: knowing what happens next and what adults expect can make participation easier.

An early years assessment provision was also part of Cheviot in May 2022. This was one of the school’s additionally resourced provisions, giving early years assessment a distinct place within its support structure. Families considering specialist provision should distinguish that provision from an ordinary nursery place.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Cheviot. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate processes, so families must apply again through the normal Reception route by the normal deadline. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate tasks when planning your child’s next step.

For nursery enquiries, contact Cheviot Primary School on 0191 2869324 or email admin@cheviot.newcastle.sch.uk. The school’s address is Yetholm Place, Newbiggin Hall Estate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 4EB. Use the school contact for enquiries about its nursery provision.