Darras Hall Primary School Nursery

Two longer days and a Wednesday half-session give Darras Hall’s nursery its distinctive weekly rhythm. This is the school’s own provision for three- and four-year-olds, on Middle Drive in Ponteland. The two published attendance patterns are Nursery 1 and Nursery 2, each combining two longer days with a Wednesday half-session.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Communication, movement and learning to get along with others form the foundations of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum here. Reading and writing, maths, creative expression and exploring the world build on those foundations. For parents, the emphasis is broader than early academic work: relationships and physical development count alongside literacy and numbers.

Singing and musical games feature in daily early years routines. They bring music into ordinary learning, with the school aiming to develop concentration, social skills and control through participation. The nursery classroom sits within this early years provision, where learning connects these different areas rather than treating them as isolated subjects.

In November 2023, early years children were building knowledge of sounds and mathematics, alongside greater independence and resilience. Resources supported purposeful learning, and staff adjusted the curriculum around children’s developmental needs. There were also two weaknesses: adult interactions sometimes lacked precision in extending language, and children were not always drawn promptly into meaningful activities. For families, the quality of conversation and how adults help children begin an activity are useful points to observe during a visit.

At the November 2023 inspection, early years staff adapted learning to children’s developmental needs, making individual development part of the teaching approach. For families of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school SENDCo is the contact for questions about support. This provides a clear route for discussing a child’s needs.

Where an eligible family divides its 30-hour entitlement between this nursery and another provider, staff exchange information with that provider. That connection matters when a child’s week spans two settings: information about the child can travel between the adults caring for them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year.

For September 2026 entry, the online Reception admissions portal opened on 1 November 2025 and closed on 15 January 2026. Those dates belong to a completed application cycle. Keep the nursery application and the later Reception application as separate tasks in your family’s planning.

Nursery 1 runs from 8.45am to 3.00pm on Monday and Tuesday, followed by Wednesday from 8.45am to 11.30am. Its weekly total is 15 hours 15 minutes. Nursery 2 starts with Wednesday from 12.30pm to 3.00pm, then Thursday and Friday from 8.45am to 3.00pm, totalling 15 hours weekly. The Wednesday finish or start creates a practical childcare boundary midway through the week.

The nursery offers 15 funded hours for three- and four-year-olds. Eligible families using a 30-hour entitlement can split it with another provider, so this arrangement should be considered alongside the two attendance patterns.

Contact the school office for nursery information and an application form. Enquiries go to admin@dhpschool.uk, or telephone 01661 823857. School visits before applying can also be arranged through the office.