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Nursery at Washingwell Community Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A mud kitchen and stories beneath a willow give Washingwell’s early years provision a practical, playful character. Nursery sits within Washingwell Community Primary School in Whickham, taking children from age three. Its capacity is 26 part-time places, equivalent to 13 full-time places. The early years class carries the name Mars.
Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play and activities directed by adults both shape learning here. Children’s interests help determine their experiences, while adults guide learning through conversation and example. Outdoor learning is part of the approach, with an emphasis on developing ideas and solving problems. The mud kitchen gives that approach a tangible setting; the willow provides a place for stories.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises the curriculum into seven connected areas. Speaking and listening, movement, and managing feelings and relationships form the initial foundations. Alongside these come early reading and writing, number work, exploring the world, and creative expression. For parents, this means that learning includes becoming more independent and communicating with other children, as well as beginning to understand letters and numbers.
Art, dance, music and role play give children ways to express ideas. Activities involving shape, measurement and counting develop mathematical understanding. The early years class also uses play to introduce phonics, connecting sounds with early reading experiences.
In November 2024, early years teaching gave particular attention to vocabulary and spoken language, helping children make progress. Children approached play with curiosity and practised sharing, cooperation and taking turns. These are useful foundations for joining group activities and making friendships.
The same inspection identified a curriculum concern across a small number of school subjects: key knowledge needed clearer definition so pupils could remember learning and connect ideas. This was a wider school finding, rather than an improvement action specifically directed at nursery.
The early years team shares activity updates through Facebook. Nursery parent overviews are also linked from the Mars class page, giving families another connection with their child’s learning.
For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the school’s SEND Information Report and SEND Policy explain its support arrangements. Families can contact the SEND coordinator through the school office by telephone or email. Gateshead’s Local Offer and Gateshead SENDIASS provide further routes to information and family support; SENDIASS offers confidential, impartial help without charge. This gives parents a named route for discussing needs alongside nursery learning.
Attending Washingwell’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception process and meet its deadline.
Reception places are allocated under Gateshead Council’s Admissions Policy. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions, even when your child is already familiar with the school.
The universal funded offer is 15 hours across 38 weeks. Working parents who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for 30 hours. The shorter offer can be taken as five mornings, five afternoons, or either of two patterns combining full days with a Wednesday half-day.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; the afternoon pattern is advertised from 11.45am to 3.30pm. The 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.30pm. These options let families choose between shorter daily attendance and blocks of longer days.
Lunch-period childcare. Attendance for a full day or across lunchtime brings an additional childcare charge, collected in advance each half-term and non-refundable. Refer to the school for current charges. Extra sessions can be purchased subject to availability and individual approval at the headteacher’s discretion.
Nursery children can use Washingwell Whizz Kids before and after school. To arrange a visit, telephone the office on 0191 4884400; a nursery registration form is also offered through the admissions page.
Nursery provision starts from age three, with 26 part-time places, equivalent to 13 full-time places.
Learning combines play with activities guided by adults. Early years experiences include the mud kitchen, stories beneath the willow and phonics through play, alongside the seven areas of the EYFS curriculum.
The 15-hour offer includes mornings, afternoons or patterns combining full days and a Wednesday half-day. Working parents who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for the 30-hour Monday-to-Friday pattern.
No. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal process. Reception allocation follows Gateshead Council’s Admissions Policy.
Yes. Nursery children can access Washingwell Whizz Kids before and after school.
