Regent Farm First School Nursery Review

Curiosity and a planned start to learning give Regent Farm’s nursery its character. At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that learning was carefully organised from Nursery onwards, with an early years environment that encouraged children to explore. There is purpose behind the play.

This is Regent Farm First School’s own nursery in Gosforth. For the September 2026 intake, children qualified to start if they had turned three by 31 August 2026.

Early learning brings together literacy, numeracy and children’s social and emotional development. In March 2022, children in the early years built firm foundations in reading, writing and number alongside a planned programme supporting their personal development. This gives families a picture of learning that includes relationships and feelings as well as early academic skills.

Staff organised activities carefully and used opportunities throughout the day to encourage learning. Formal phonics teaching began in Nursery’s summer term. That introduces a more structured strand of reading preparation during the nursery year.

Outdoor learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) includes recognising risks outside and learning how to respond. The wider school grounds contain sensory gardens, fields and forest areas, giving the setting a substantial physical backdrop. Nursery experiences also extend beyond the site: the calendar scheduled a Kirkley Hall trip for 8 June 2026. An outing adds a different setting for children’s curiosity, although this dated event should not be treated as a recurring promise.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is organised around each child’s requirements, with resources and care tailored accordingly. Families can contact the special educational needs coordinator through the school office, providing a clear starting point for discussing individual needs.

Support Beyond The Classroom also connects parents and children with experts for guidance while they await some external services. This gives families another route to advice during a wait for specialist support. It is a school service, rather than a nursery-specific staffing arrangement.

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

For September 2026 entry, the route was Newcastle City Council, with a stated deadline of 15 January 2026. Applications went to the local authority, which offered places. That deadline is past and applies to that intake.

Shared activities are separate from admissions. A Family Fun Sports Day involving Nursery and Reception was scheduled for 24 June 2026, bringing the two groups into the same event; it does not establish an admissions advantage.

For the 2026–27 nursery intake, the funded offer comprised 15 hours, or 30 hours for working parents meeting the application form’s eligibility conditions. The full-time pattern ran Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 3.15pm.

The shorter pattern combined two full days with a Wednesday half-day: Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday. These fixed patterns matter when matching nursery attendance to a family’s working week. Extra afternoon or morning sessions could be purchased subject to space. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery forms were returned directly to the school and could be obtained through the office or by email. Prospective families were invited to arrange a visit for the 2026–27 intake. For enquiries, the office can be reached on 0191 285 2294 or at admin@regentfarm.newcastle.sch.uk.