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Nursery at St Stephen's Catholic Primary School, Newcastle
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Storytelling, sound games and practical play give this nursery its character. Within St Stephen's Catholic Primary School in Longbenton, Nursery shares a Foundation Unit with Reception, placing the youngest children within the school's early years setting. Children can begin in the term following their third birthday.
Language is a clear focus. Talk for Writing starts in Nursery, while early sound activities introduce children to listening, rhythm and rhyme. The Catholic character also has a concrete place in learning: Nursery uses Come and See, with themes including belonging, sharing and forgiveness.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning across seven areas. For parents, that means attention to talking, relationships and movement alongside early literacy, mathematics and exploring the world. Role-play and drama give children reasons to speak and listen; construction materials let them investigate size and shape through something they can handle.
Learning uses indoor and outdoor spaces. Children thread beads, tackle jigsaws and build with small construction kits, practising coordination through play. Reading and making marks take place in both environments. iPads, smartboards and remote-control equipment add opportunities to explore technology. These are practical activities with a purpose, rather than learning confined to paper.
Nursery phonics begins with distinguishing sounds, including sounds from instruments and body percussion, alongside rhyme and voice games. During the spring term, an adapted Rocket Phonics approach introduces a new letter sound each week, matched to children's speech development. Mark-making exercise books allow children to draw pictures or try letter shapes according to their ability. Formal phonics teaching begins in Reception.
Talk for Writing connects spoken stories with early writing. Children practise retelling familiar tales through play, while songs and rhymes build their experience of language. Breaks are spread across the session, rather than restricted to a single playtime.
Family participation has a practical form. At the December 2025 Christmas Stay and Play sessions, Nursery and Reception children painted salt-dough decorations, posted letters to Santa and made hand-printed wrapping paper with their grown-ups. Such shared activities give parents a direct way to join in classroom learning.
For additional learning needs, teachers consult the special educational needs coordinators when necessary to plan inclusive activities with appropriate challenge. Parents can contact the SEND team through the school office. This provides a clear contact route for discussing support.
Nursery lunchtime runs from 11.45am to 12.30pm. School meal arrangements include a three-week menu and an allergen-aware version, alongside packed-lunch guidance. The school also provides safeguarding training and advice for staff, governors, parents and pupils through an annual plan.
Attending Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the local authority where they live; the deadline is usually January before the September start. Keep that application separate from the nursery arrangements.
Nursery and Reception operate within the same Foundation Unit. That is a shared early years setting, not a promise of admission to the next class.
Morning Nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoon Nursery runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The All Day Nursery pattern is 8.45am to 3.30pm from Monday to Thursday, finishing at 11.45am on Friday. This pattern is restricted to children eligible for the government's 30 hours free childcare scheme. Eligible children can extend Friday attendance until 3.30pm for an additional supervision charge; contact the school for current charges. The shorter Friday needs factoring into family childcare plans.
Nursery applications go directly to the school using a Nursery Application form. School visits can be arranged through the office. For enquiries, call 0191 625 0900 or email office@ststephensrc.org.uk.
Children are eligible from the term after their third birthday.
Morning Nursery is 8.45am to 11.45am, and afternoon Nursery is 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
The All Day Nursery pattern is for children eligible for the government's 30 hours free childcare scheme. It ends at 11.45am on Fridays, with a charged extension to 3.30pm for eligible children.
No. A separate application goes through the local authority where the family lives, usually by January before the September start.
Contact the school office on 0191 625 0900 or at office@ststephensrc.org.uk to arrange a school visit.
