Nursery at St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, North Shields

Balance bikes, sound games and time outdoors give this nursery its character. Children join in the school term following their third birthday, becoming part of a Catholic primary school that welcomes families of any faith or none. The morning nursery has 26 part-time places, with an afternoon group running when numbers allow.

Sessions last three hours, with morning provision and an afternoon group when numbers allow. For families choosing an introduction to learning alongside other children, that pattern is a practical consideration from the outset.

Outdoor learning has a regular place in the timetable. Each child has a dedicated half-day outdoors, and the school's shared outdoor facilities include the Roundhouse and its surrounding learning area. Nursery children begin cycling on balance bikes. These give physical activity a concrete place in their early school experience, alongside the school's Loose Parts Play approach to imaginative outdoor play.

Early years learning brings together number work, language and practical activity. In January 2025, children were developing number recognition by pairing blocks with numbered playing cards; counting also involved rhymes and songs. That gives an everyday picture of learning through objects and repetition, rather than numbers remaining marks on a page.

Daily phonics begins in Nursery with Phase 1. Essential Letters and Sounds is the school's chosen phonics programme, while the nursery's preparation for reading includes making sounds and recognising them. In January 2025, the youngest children sustained their attention during this work, and children in early years enjoyed sharing books with adults. Listening and talking are part of the preparation for later reading.

Weekly Compassion Matters sessions involve children and adults across the school. The school aims to teach compassion as something children can practise, giving social learning a named place alongside early literacy and mathematics.

An early years lead is part of the deputy safeguarding team, and staff receive safeguarding training regularly. The wider school team also includes a Family Support Worker. These roles give families identifiable points of support within the school structure.

Communication includes ParentMail messages and weekly updates sent to families. Tapestry provides examples of children's learning, giving parents something specific to talk about with their child beyond the end of a session.

Safeguarding records. In January 2025, safeguarding across the school was effective, but records did not consistently capture the steps taken to protect children. Clearer recording of work with families and outside agencies was required. This is a school-wide concern relevant to nursery families, rather than a separate nursery judgement.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through North Tyneside Council School Admissions and follow that process's key dates. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions.

Preparation for the next stage also has an educational strand: practising sound recognition in Nursery supports the move towards reading. That preparation should not be confused with an admissions advantage.

Morning sessions run Monday to Friday, lasting three hours each and totalling 15 hours a week. Afternoon provision also consists of three-hour sessions and 15 hours weekly, but operates only when numbers allow. That condition matters when planning regular childcare.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Request a form from the office on 0191 691 9876 or at office@stcuthberts.email. Families can also telephone the office to arrange a school visit, providing an opportunity to see the school before making their choice.