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

Stories, songs and rhymes give this nursery its clearest character. From children's first days, staff concentrate on speaking, listening and language, making these everyday experiences a starting point for learning. For parents, the emphasis is on children developing the confidence to communicate as well as joining in activities.

This is the nursery provision within St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, North Shields, a Catholic primary school whose age range starts at three. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 18 and 19 June 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Language runs through the learning. In June 2024, staff used songs, rhymes and stories from the beginning of nursery, with listening and communication receiving deliberate attention. These are practical foundations: understanding what someone says, expressing an idea and taking part in a shared activity all matter to a young child's day.

The early years activities included painting and making prints with shapes. Children recognised pentagons alongside circles, rectangles and squares, giving mathematical ideas a concrete form. Carefully organised number activities also helped build children's confidence. The examples connect creative work with early mathematical understanding, rather than presenting learning only as spoken instruction.

Nursery children could explain how teeth should be brushed, including the direction of the brushing movement. That small example brings everyday care into the learning: children were able to communicate a practical routine. In June 2024, children across early years also showed enthusiasm for the activities adults had prepared. Together, these examples give parents a picture of learning through conversation, creative activity and familiar experiences.

Engage provides individual support for some children in early years with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In June 2024, children using this provision were developing well, with support adapted to their particular needs. For a family considering additional support, the useful distinction is that this is a named provision serving some early years children, rather than an assumption that every child follows the same programme.

Safeguarding arrangements across the school were effective at the June 2024 inspection. This is a school-wide finding, covering the wider setting in which the nursery operates.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process by the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions: participation in nursery learning does not itself secure the next place.

The school is on Wallsend Road in Chirton, North Shields, NE29 7BT. Its telephone number is 01912573097. The address gives families a concrete starting point for considering the journey alongside their choice of nursery.