New York Primary School Nursery

An adopted tree in the school grounds, storytelling for two-year-olds and a summer introduction to phonics give New York Primary School’s nursery provision its character. Books and outdoor exploration run alongside learning to talk, make friends and manage everyday tasks.

At Lanark Close in North Shields, the school has 30 places for eligible two-year-olds and a nursery class with 52 places, split into 26 morning and 26 afternoon places. Children normally join each provision in the term after the relevant birthday. Caterpillars, the two-year-old provision, uses a purpose-built early years setting.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding following inspection visits on 8 and 9 May and 17 July 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play gives the day its shape. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum puts movement, conversation and emotional development first in the two-year-old and nursery provision. In parent terms, that means practising how to express an idea, take turns, handle feelings and move confidently, alongside early reading, number work and creative activities. Adults lead some learning; children also explore their own interests.

Books connect the activities. Half-term themes draw on stories and experiences, with recurring strands including The Seasons and Terrific Tales & Nursery Rhymes. Nursery children use Phase One Letters and Sounds, then begin oral sound blending through Read Write Inc and Fred Talk in the summer term. This gives them practice hearing how sounds combine before reading words.

For younger children, Helicopter Stories and Talk 4 Writing bring storytelling into Caterpillars through rhymes. Small-world play supports vocabulary, while drawing and other mark-making activities develop physical skills. Children can also explore their surroundings on local outings and woodland visits.

Outdoor learning continues across the year, except in the toughest weather. Clearly labelled activity areas help children choose resources independently. Woodland Wednesdays follows a fortnightly cycle that alternates morning and afternoon nursery groups with Reception classes. Each group follows an adopted tree through seasonal changes in the school grounds. Picture books prompt exploration, while woodland activity gives children opportunities to practise coordination and larger movements.

Settling starts with family knowledge. Parents can have a home visit before their child begins in Caterpillars or nursery and complete a VIP booklet with staff. Settling sessions let the early years team meet families, while observations help staff adjust learning to the children joining them.

Photos, videos and children’s work contribute to learning journeys and class floor books, shared with families through SeeSaw and Twitter. Caterpillars also invites parents to craft mornings, reading sessions and welly waddles, giving families practical ways to join in.

Independence includes personal care. The two-year-old team supports toilet training when children show readiness. Early years staff teach children about looking after their bodies and healthy eating, alongside managing emotions and resolving disagreements.

Developmental support begins with identifying communication and other needs early. Assessments inform interventions, and families can contact the school’s SENCO through SEND@newyorkprimaryschool.org. In the 2024 early years findings, staff met differing developmental needs expertly and helped children develop independence, resilience and confidence; their language teaching strengthened children’s communication.

Separate applications. A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through North Tyneside Council School Admissions. Treat that application as a separate decision from choosing the nursery.

The same distinction applies earlier: a place in the two-year-old provision does not guarantee admission to the nursery class. Families apply separately for that move too. For children with additional needs, the SENCO oversees individual transition programmes when required, supporting the change of setting or stage independently of admissions.

Two-year-old sessions run during term time: mornings are 8.30–11.30am and afternoons 12.30–3.30pm. Eligible families can access 15 or 30 hours; children using the 30-hour provision attend 8.30am–3pm. The nursery class also offers 30-hour provision to eligible families through the school office.

Nursery applications go directly to the school using its online form or by calling 0191 8141788. Families accepting a nursery place receive an invitation to a starters’ meeting and an admission pack with starting arrangements. Tours can also be arranged through the office, allowing parents to meet staff and ask questions before choosing.