Mountfield Primary School Nursery Review

Police officers, firefighters and future teachers feature in Mountfield’s Little People, Big Ideas early years work. It gives young children concrete examples of jobs and people beyond the classroom. This is the nursery class within Mountfield Primary School in North Kenton, with its own application process managed by the school.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted described the early years provision as exceptional. That finding covers the early years provision within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection grade.

Little People, Big Ideas brings the world of work into early learning, including project leaders alongside emergency services and teaching. For parents, this is a specific example of children encountering possibilities for their future, rather than careers being reserved for older pupils.

Daily expectations also matter. In May 2024, children in the early years behaved exceptionally well and followed the routines and rules expected of them. Familiar expectations give children a framework for taking part in classroom life. The evidence of their behaviour is a useful part of the picture of the nursery day, alongside the named careers work.

Additional needs are addressed through observation, individual planning and involvement from families. Mountfield uses early assessments and watches children closely to identify difficulties. Individual education plans record the support and resources a child needs, together with targets. Parents and carers help develop these plans and take part in reviewing them, giving families a role in decisions about their child’s support.

The school follows an assess, plan, do, review cycle. Teaching materials and the curriculum are adapted to individual needs, and outside agencies provide advice where needed. This means support can be reconsidered as a child’s needs become clearer, rather than resting on an initial assessment alone.

A qualified special educational needs and disabilities coordinator works with a Parent’s Support Adviser. Families can also be directed to services through the Newcastle Local Offer. For children with an Education Health and Care Plan, provision includes individual programmes, detailed progress monitoring and annual reviews with recommendations sent to the local authority.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Newcastle City Council’s online school-place application route, meeting the normal deadline. The council allocates Reception places, while Mountfield handles nursery applications itself. Treat these as two separate steps when planning your child’s next stage.

Nursery enquiries go to the school office on 0191 285 3793 or by email to admin.mps@smartacademies.net. The office also accepts requests to arrange a visit. A visit gives families an opportunity to discuss choosing the nursery before making an application.