Laygate Community School Nursery

Forest school and conversation stood out in Laygate’s early years provision at the inspection on 17 and 18 May 2023. Children explored nature together, while adults helped them develop their language. These supported practical foundations for learning: confidence with other children and confidence in expressing themselves.

The nursery belongs to Laygate Community School in South Shields, on Laygate Lane. The school admits children from age three and has a nursery within its premises. Families are choosing a school setting for this first stage of education.

Language and communication were clear priorities in early years in May 2023. Adults demonstrated vocabulary for children to learn and use, making their interaction with staff part of the learning itself. For a young child, this meant opportunities to build the words needed to explain an idea or take part in an activity. Conversation was central to those inspection findings.

Forest school added a different kind of experience at that inspection. In May 2023, children participated enthusiastically, exploring nature through activities that helped develop their social skills. The value extends beyond being outside: learning alongside other children gives exploration a social purpose too.

In May 2023, the outdoor learning space also supported activities with a clear learning purpose, and children enjoyed using it. Outdoor experience sat alongside communication as a defining feature of the early years findings. The school premises include a field and two adventure play areas; those are school facilities, rather than a promise that nursery children use each one.

Adult interaction supported children’s confidence in May 2023. Frequent exchanges with staff gave children encouragement to participate, linking emotional confidence with the communication emphasis described above.

Speech therapy was another concrete part of early years support in May 2023, with trained staff running sessions. This provided a specific form of language help, alongside the vocabulary adults demonstrated during learning activities.

For families considering SEND support, the school also links to the South Tyneside Rainbow Guide, introduced as guidance by parent carers for parent carers. That provides a separate local information route alongside conversations about a child’s needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year.

Laygate’s admissions page directs primary school applicants to the local authority process, while nursery registration uses a school form. Keep those two applications distinct: registering for nursery is not the Reception application. A family choosing the nursery should therefore make its Reception plans separately, even when hoping to remain at Laygate.

Nursery registration forms can be downloaded through the admissions page or obtained from the school office. An original birth certificate must be presented when registering a child. This is a document requirement to prepare for before submitting the registration.

The school office is the contact point for that process, and the school’s telephone number is 0191 456 2470. The address is Laygate Lane, South Shields, NE33 4JJ.