Kenton Bar Primary School Nursery

Learning to speak with confidence gives Kenton Bar’s nursery its clearest character. Speech and communication receive attention from children’s earliest days in the school’s early years provision, helping them express themselves and prepare for their next stage of education.

There are 26 nursery places within Kenton Bar Primary School. Children can start in September if they have turned three beforehand; entry during the year is possible in the term following their third birthday, subject to space. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Talking is a central part of early learning here. In January 2025, children in early years developed the confidence and language skills to communicate clearly. The practical value is straightforward: being able to explain an idea or express a need helps children take part in learning.

At the inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025, the nursery offered 30-hour provision. Confirm current attendance options with the school before planning childcare around this arrangement.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) sits within the school’s wider team, with a SENDCo coordinating provision and a Pastoral Lead supporting children and families. Parents can raise concerns about development or learning with their child’s class teacher or the SENDCo. This provides a clear starting point for discussing individual needs.

For children with additional needs, Support Plans identify the areas requiring help, the targets to work towards and the resources or provision to use. Families have a review meeting each term, and can also arrange an appointment between reviews. Strategies and resources are adjusted as children’s needs change, so the plan is revisited rather than treated as a fixed arrangement.

Specialist advice can come from the Educational Psychology Service and the Speech and Language Therapy Service. Teachers and teaching assistants also deliver intervention programmes. For a parent concerned about communication, that links the nursery’s emphasis on language with a school support structure that can involve specialist services.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

The school office can support families with the Reception application process, as can the council. Keep that application separate from the nursery application pack: accepting a nursery place does not complete the next application for you.

To enquire about a nursery place, telephone the school office on 0191 286 0536. Visits can be arranged through the office, which also supplies the nursery application pack. A visit gives families an opportunity to see the early years setting before applying.

September is the main starting point for children who have already turned three. Families considering a later start can apply for entry in the term after their child’s third birthday, with admission dependent on space. The nursery has 26 places, so the timing of an application and the availability of a place are separate practical considerations.