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Nursery at St John's Church of England Aided Primary School, Shildon
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Drumming lessons and submarine-inspired dressing-up give St John's nursery a character beyond its session timetable. This is provision for three and four year olds within St John's Church of England Aided Primary School, Shildon, on Jubilee Road. Families can choose morning or afternoon attendance, with a longer funded pattern for eligible children.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 7 and 8 March 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The surrounding school has a Christian ethos, with Friendship, Respect, Forgiveness and Perseverance among its core values.
Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, combining learning with the development of independence and social skills. In March 2023, early years staff used clear expectations and established routines, assessed children's needs accurately and arranged additional physical development sessions. Hula-hooping with Hoop Stars was one example. Nursery children also had drumming lessons, giving music a practical place in their learning.
Children's interests can become the starting point for activities. In the Fishy Fun nursery example, a child's account of a submarine trip prompted underwater imaginative play using fins, wetsuits and masks. Another nursery activity paired stories and factual books about growing with discussion of how to care for sunflower seeds. These examples connect conversation, books and practical exploration, rather than treating them as separate tasks.
The school's early years phonics approach uses Phonics Bug, with actions, rhymes and songs alongside work on sounds and written words. Early reading support. The March 2023 inspection identified activities that were too difficult for some beginning readers across the school. Matching phonics work to a child's existing knowledge is therefore an important point for families to discuss.
The SENDCO teaches in early years as part of their role, while the SENDCO Assistant assesses speech, language and communication needs across the school. This gives parents a contact route for concerns about communication or development. Support planning includes conversations with families and termly reviews of individual SEN Support Plans, so parents can contribute to the next steps.
School support includes Speech and Language Link, movement breaks and targeted motor activities. A quiet space provides somewhere away from classroom bustle for emotional wellbeing or quieter learning. These are school resources, with support selected according to individual need.
For children with SEND starting school, an enhanced transition period is attempted wherever possible. Staff seek contact with the child and family before starting and meet relevant professionals to prepare provision. Toileting and intimate care guidance also covers early years, setting out an approach based on children's dignity and respectful care.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must submit a separate application through Durham County Council's Parent Portal. For the September 2026 intake, the deadline was midnight on 15 January 2026; that application cycle is now past.
Transition support is a separate matter from admission. For children with SEND changing classes, additional preparation helps them become familiar with their next staff team. This supports the change of classroom, rather than securing a place.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The nursery offers the universal 15-hour funded pattern for three and four year olds. Its 30-hour provision for eligible families runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Eligibility must be reconfirmed every three months.
Limited places. The nursery asks interested families to contact the office because places are limited. An application form can be downloaded or requested by telephone, and children can join the waiting list after their first birthday. Contact the office on 01388 773476 or email shildonstjohns@durhamlearning.net.
The nursery provision is for three and four year olds.
Morning sessions are 8.45am to 11.45am and afternoon sessions are 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The eligible 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.
No. Parents must apply separately for Reception through Durham County Council's normal admissions process.
Staff try to arrange an enhanced transition period wherever possible, contact families before starting and meet professionals to prepare the child's support.
Contact the school office on 01388 773476. Nursery application forms can be downloaded or requested from the office.
