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Nursery at Rosemary Lane Nursery School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Children’s interests give learning its starting point at Rosemary Lane: choosing, imagining and trying things for themselves are explicit aims. This maintained nursery school in Easington Village serves children aged 2 to 5. Nursery education is the school’s own purpose, with a headteacher and deputy overseeing planning and teaching.
Willow Room, Maple Room and Oak Room give the provision its named spaces. The emphasis on children making decisions matters for everyday independence: learning here includes choosing what to explore, alongside activities planned by adults.
Books, building and outdoor exploration supplied the detail of the February 2022 Ofsted inspection. Children could reach the resources they wanted, while adults planned activities with specific learning purposes. That combination gave children scope to choose and teachers opportunities to extend their thinking.
The curriculum connected early language, reading, writing and mathematics with children’s understanding of the world. In parent terms, early learning meant talking, listening, handling books and exploring quantities through play. Rhyming stories and rhythm helped children hear the sounds within words. Carefully selected picture books encouraged those beginning to explore reading.
Mathematics was equally practical. Children sang Mr Crocodile, counted with beanbags and dice, and tested how high a tower could grow before toppling. Adults brought mathematical language into play, helping children connect numbers and measurement with things they could handle.
Outdoor learning had a physical purpose as well as an imaginative one. In February 2022, children made dens using sheets and tree trunks. The Blue Teddy group’s two-year-olds built bridges from crates, while older children explored a climbing frame and planted rosemary. These activities combined movement, construction and cooperation, giving early learning room to extend beyond books and tables.
Communication received close attention in February 2022. Staff had training to support children’s language. They had identified delays in some children’s speech after time indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic and were helping them catch up. Teaching helped children with special educational needs and disabilities participate in learning. Parents were involved in their children’s support. This made inclusion a matter of taking part in everyday activities.
Family contact also has practical routes. The key person is the first contact for concerns, with escalation to the headteacher if needed. Parent comments describe updates through Seesaw and shared activities including the Autumn Walk, a beach trip and Cuddle Up With a Book. These give families ways to connect with learning beyond the session itself.
Before admission, families provide dietary preferences, allergies, health requirements and emergency contacts. Keeping those details current helps staff respond to individual care needs.
Operation Encompass adds a route for timely support after domestic abuse. Through this police and education partnership, the safeguarding lead receives notification of police-attended incidents before the next school day, allowing staff to respond to the child’s needs. External support also includes Health Practitioners, an Educational Psychologist, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services and Behaviour Support. Families’ care needs can therefore involve help beyond the nursery team. In February 2022, safeguarding was judged effective: staff received training and updates, and leaders sought outside advice promptly when children needed protection or support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.
The February 2022 provision included morning education for two-year-olds. Three- and four-year-olds had 15 funded hours each week, with 30 hours offered where parents qualified. These describe the arrangements at that time.
For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 0191 527 1168 or email rosemary.lane@durhamlearning.net. Collection has specific safeguards: the accompanying adult must be over 16, staff must be told about a different collector, and that person must provide the security password requested as part of admission. Plan changes to collection with staff in advance.
The school’s current age range is 2 to 5.
In February 2022, activities included den building, crate bridges, climbing and planting rosemary. These combined imaginative play with physical activity.
Start with the child’s key person. If the concern remains unresolved, the next contact is the headteacher.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, by the applicable deadline.
Yes, but inform staff beforehand. The collector must be over 16 and provide the security password requested as part of admission.
