Grasmere Academy Nursery

Big outdoor resources and an emphasis on conversation give Grasmere Academy’s nursery its character. Little Explorers provides afternoon places for two-year-olds, alongside the nursery provision within the school’s early years unit in Killingworth. Nursery and Reception children share that unit, so learning alongside older children is part of the arrangement.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 December 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning combines activities guided by adults with opportunities for children to explore their own interests. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework: children develop language, movement and relationships alongside early reading, number work, creativity and understanding their surroundings. For children under three, the emphasis falls on communication, physical development and personal and social development. Those are the foundations for joining in and learning with others.

Small teaching groups introduce literacy, mathematics and basic skills, followed by opportunities to use that learning through classroom play. Early reading starts with listening. Both nursery children and two-year-olds undertake pre-phonics activities, remembering sounds, distinguishing between them and talking about what they hear. These prepare children for the later Read Write Inc. programme rather than rushing them into formal reading lessons.

Outside, a large play area gives children access to substantial resources and room for noisy, physical play. Outdoor play gives children opportunities to practise social skills as well as movement. In December 2022, early years staff supported language through conversation and play, demonstrated spoken language effectively and took children to a local park. Those walks brought the wider world into their learning.

The early years team encourages families to take part in their children’s learning. Reading workshops were part of the early years provision in December 2022, giving parents practical help with supporting reading at home.

For children staying for lunch, families can choose a paid meal through Hutchinson or supply a packed lunch. Appetite handles meal orders, allergy information and payments. Packed lunches must exclude nuts, and children should not bring glass containers or hot drinks. These rules matter when planning what to send each day.

Grasmere aims to include children with educational or physical needs. Families can contact the special educational needs coordinator through the school office or at grasmere.sen@ntlp.org.uk, providing a direct route to discuss support.

Attending Grasmere’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision from booking nursery sessions.

Sharing an early years unit means nursery children already learn alongside Reception children. That familiarity is useful preparation for the next stage, but it does not secure admission.

The nursery morning runs from 8:30am to 11:30am. Little Explorers sessions run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm, with provision limited to 15 hours for both funded and paying families, subject to availability.

For eligible nursery children using 30-hour funding, the attendance pattern is Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 3:05pm, then Friday, 8:30am to 12:20pm. Families must check eligibility monthly using the online checker and give their funding code to the school. Friday collection. Staying beyond that Friday finish requires paid additional hours, so families need to plan collection around the shorter day.

Extra nursery sessions depend on availability. A parent contract is required before starting, and paid sessions must be paid in advance by bank transfer. Contact the school office on 0191 2220259 or info@grasmereacademy.org.uk for nursery enquiries and current charges.