Whitehouse Primary School Nursery

Daily outdoor learning and play that builds language give Whitehouse’s nursery its character. The nursery caters for children aged 3 and 4 within Whitehouse Primary School on Whitehouse Lane, North Shields. There is also provision for two-year-olds, with applications handled directly by the school.

Early Years staff work in a setting the school describes as small. An Early Years Phase Leader forms part of the team structure, giving this stage its own leadership role. For parents, the useful distinction is between choosing the nursery’s everyday experience and making a later application for school.

Play provides the starting point for learning. The curriculum develops early literacy, language and number through play, while daily access to outdoor learning makes the outdoor environment part of the nursery routine. Children have continuous provision: learning opportunities remain available for them to explore through their play. This gives families a picture of a day built around activity and exploration.

Stay & Play offers a separate introduction to the early years classrooms. For children aged 3 and 4, activities include role play, messy play and exploration outdoors, with an emphasis on communication and social development. Sessions for two-year-olds include songs, stories and creative activities. Parents and carers take part too, with opportunities to talk to the Early Years team and meet other families. These sessions offer a practical way to become familiar with the setting before applying.

For a child who needs additional help, the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) is the contact for discussing needs and planning support with the family. Parents can share assessments or a diagnosis with the SENCo so that staff can use that information when considering support.

The school’s SEN support process includes the child’s and parents’ views in an individual plan. Teachers and the SENCo agree targets, and families receive the plan each half term before parents’ evening. Reviews provide a chance to discuss those targets. That creates a regular point for checking what support is intended to achieve.

Makaton is used across the school, combining hand signs and visual symbols with spoken words to support communication. This is a school-wide practice rather than a separate nursery programme.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through North Tyneside Council’s school admissions portal and meet the normal application deadline. Check the council’s deadline dates when preparing that application; the nursery application goes directly to Whitehouse instead.

The school aims to make the move into Reception smooth. Keep that transition aim separate from the allocation of a place: familiarity with the setting does not replace the Reception application.

Funding covers 15 hours for all children aged 3 and 4 during term time, with up to 30 funded hours for eligible working parents. Wraparound options depend on availability, so families needing care beyond their funded hours should account for that condition when choosing the nursery.

Nursery enquiries and applications go to the school. Contact the office on 0191 249 7879 or email whitehouse.admin@neat.org.uk. Visits can be booked, and the free Stay & Play sessions offer another opportunity to meet staff and explore the early years setting together.