Preston Grange Primary School Nursery

A morning nursery place comes with a gradual introduction here: children spend time with their parents before trying a session on their own. Preston Grange Primary School’s nursery takes children from the term after their third birthday, with entry points in September and January. It forms part of the school in North Shields, on Chiltern Road.

The morning runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. For eligible children, an additional afternoon session runs from 12.25pm to 3.25pm, with a separate lunch club between the two. That distinction matters when planning a longer day: lunch club is non-statutory provision rather than part of either learning session.

Ofsted’s June 2024 inspection described early years learning shaped around children’s interests, with activities chosen to extend their understanding. Twisting cubes became a way to investigate three-dimensional shapes and build bigger cubes. It is a concrete example of play becoming a mathematical problem to explore.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for children’s early learning and development. Here, that learning includes exploring shapes through play, beginning to learn sounds for reading, and practising sharing and playing together. Children also become familiar with routines. These experiences connect learning with the everyday skills needed to participate in a group.

The school site is on one level and includes accessible toilets. For children with physical access needs, these are useful features of the wider setting in which the nursery operates.

Settling starts before the first nursery day. September entrants have two hour-long sessions with parents, in April and May, followed by an hour independently in July. January entrants follow the same pattern, with parents attending in September and November before an independent session in December. The gradual separation gives children opportunities to become familiar with nursery before their start.

Previous settings are contacted as part of this process, helping staff understand the child rather than beginning afresh. There is a nursery teacher and an Early Years leader within the staff structure.

For additional learning needs, families can contact the Early Years SENCO. The SEND policy uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle: needs are considered, support is agreed with parents, action follows and its impact is reviewed. EYFS staff record children’s strengths and concerns in the prime areas, the core areas of early development. A separate overview brings together support adjustments and communication with families and professionals. For children being monitored, Cherry Tree Branch Maps can record small steps of progress in those areas. These records give families and staff concrete information to discuss when planning support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through North Tyneside’s School Admissions route, meeting the normal application deadline. Reception places are allocated by the local authority, so accepting nursery provision should be treated as a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Accepting a place means committing to regular attendance at the universal 15-hour morning provision. Unsatisfactory attendance can lead to a place being withdrawn, making this a regular weekly commitment for families.

Lunch club operates from 11.45am to 12.25pm. The additional 15-hour afternoon provision is conditional on eligibility. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0191 300 91 90. The school’s term-date information includes North Tyneside Council calendars, with additional training days communicated through letters and newsletters.