Collingwood Primary School Nursery Review

Storytelling, shared play and group language activities give Collingwood’s early years provision its clearest character. Adults help children practise communication through these everyday activities, making conversation part of learning rather than a separate exercise.

The nursery belongs to Collingwood Primary School on Oswin Terrace in North Shields, where the school’s age range starts at three. Session options include a morning finishing at noon, or, for eligible families, the longer day attached to the 30-hour offer. That distinction matters when fitting nursery around work and family routines.

Communication has a concrete place in the day. Ofsted’s May 2023 inspection described substantial adult staffing in early years to support children’s language, with adults joining play, telling stories and leading group activities. Children therefore have opportunities to practise speaking with adults in different situations.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the nursery’s curriculum context. Here, its practical features include communication through play and stories, alongside early mathematical learning. In May 2023, mathematics teaching from early years was preparing children for their next year of learning; staff adjusted teaching to take account of what children already knew. This connects new learning to familiar ideas.

BLAST has its own nursery parent guide and leaflet. These give families a named resource to accompany their child’s early years experience. A past example of activity beyond school is the nursery’s Hall Hill Farm outing listed in the May 2023 calendar; it should be understood as a past trip rather than a recurring commitment.

Bagels are available to nursery children during the day. This provision is distinct from the breakfast club’s stated entry group, which starts at Reception, so families should not treat the bagel offer as an earlier nursery start.

For questions about a child’s progress, the SEND and Inclusion Policy directs parents first to the class teacher. Appointments with the special educational needs and disability coordinator (SENDCO) or senior leadership team provide another route for discussion. That gives parents a clear sequence for raising concerns.

The school’s SEND provision addresses learning and cognition, interaction and communication, physical or sensory needs, and emotional or mental health difficulties. Its parent resources include North Tyneside SENDIASS and the North Tyneside Parent Carer Forum, connecting families with support beyond school.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Collingwood’s admissions route follows North Tyneside Council’s policy, so the council’s arrangements govern that next application. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Morning nursery runs from 9am to noon; the 30-hour offer for eligible families runs from 9am to 3pm. The longer option extends the nursery day into the afternoon.

To register interest, contact the school on 0191 605 3378. The nursery enquiry process uses an interest form, followed by contact around six months before admission. The charging policy permits charges for certain early years provision and wraparound care; this is a permission to charge, rather than a nursery price list.