Roots and Shoots Nursery at St Matthew's, Prudhoe

Songs, rhymes and counting to five give Roots and Shoots its clearest character: an early start to learning through language and number. This is the nursery at St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, Prudhoe, with provision for two- and three-year-olds. It belongs to the school, rather than being a separate childcare setting.

At the Ofsted inspection on 4 and 5 October 2023, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it is not a separate nursery inspection. For parents, the useful detail is the attention to children's first learning steps and the language they need to play together.

Learning begins in nursery with regular singing and rhymes, alongside recognising numbers and counting to five. These are concrete starting points: children practise words and number before tackling more demanding learning later. The emphasis is on foundations.

In October 2023, the curriculum was organised in a planned sequence across year groups, including early years. Staff received training to teach it. For a nursery child, that means these first activities form part of a longer learning sequence, rather than sitting apart from the rest of their education.

Communication also shapes play. From early years, children learn vocabulary that helps them express themselves, while adults demonstrate positive ways of relating to others. This supports children as they learn to get along during shared play.

For a child who needs additional help, St Matthew's uses a staged SEND process. Classroom adaptations come first. A child struggling despite that support can have a pupil passport, prepared by the class teacher with the SEND coordinator's help. Short periods of more intensive intervention may address a specific learning difficulty or a motor skill need.

Where special educational needs are identified, support follows an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Individual support plans describe needs, intended outcomes and provision, with parents' views included. This gives families a role in deciding support and reviewing how it is working.

The class teacher is the first contact for concerns about progress. Confidential SEND enquiries can also go to send@smp.bwcet.com. Support can include adapted resources, additional adult help and work with professionals such as a speech and language therapist.

Early writing. In October 2023, some younger pupils needed clearer feedback and more consistent help with spelling and handwriting. This was a concern about younger pupils, rather than a nursery-specific finding, but it makes feedback on early writing a useful focus for parent discussions.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the council's admissions portal and meet the deadline for their application year. The usual application window runs from early November until mid-January. Treat those as the usual window, rather than fixed dates for a particular intake.

The school can support families making a late application. Choosing Roots and Shoots and applying for Reception remain separate decisions.

Nursery collection is at 2:45pm, earlier than the main school's finish. That difference matters when arranging collection for siblings.

To arrange a nursery tour, call 01661 835 484. Families can discuss what Roots and Shoots offers during that visit. General enquiries can also go to info@smp.bwcet.com.