Springmoor Grange School Nursery Review

Language, curiosity and learning through play give Springmoor Grange’s early years provision its character. The nursery belongs to the school in Spennymoor, with a nursery teacher listed within its Early Years Team. That places nursery teaching within a wider team of teachers and teaching assistants.

The historical inspection needs careful context: Ofsted graded early years Good at Ox Close Primary School, under this school URN, on 11 and 12 June 2024. That judgement concerns the early years provision inspected then, rather than a separate inspection of today’s nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines experiences directed by adults with activities children lead themselves. In parent terms, children have opportunities to practise skills, investigate their interests and ask questions, while adults plan learning and introduce vocabulary. Communication is an explicit focus, giving children language to explain their ideas as well as explore them.

Play provided opportunities for language learning in the June 2024 early years findings: adults demonstrated ways to express ideas while taking part in children’s activities. The mud kitchen supplied the imaginative context, with potion-making and fruit tea preparation. Alongside this play, inspectors highlighted opportunities for writing and mathematics. For parents, the connection matters: playful activities can also make space for conversation and early learning.

Depth of learning. Some children with the greatest aptitude were receiving insufficient challenge in June 2024. Greater depth was an improvement requirement affecting early years, making the level of challenge an important consideration alongside opportunities to play.

Information from parents contributes to support from the start. When children begin nursery, the school gathers detailed information about them, with feedback meetings each term. Keyworker observations also contribute to identifying additional needs. These provide ways to connect what families know about their child with staff observations.

For children with SEND, support follows an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Individual SEN Support Plans describe needs, intended outcomes and provision. The school’s inclusion measures include visual prompts for language delay and extra adult help with learning, so support can address specific barriers to participation.

School dinners are supplied by Chartwells Schools, whose medical diet team is the contact for allergy or intolerance discussions. Nursery pupils can qualify for free meal support only when their education spans both sides of lunchtime, alongside the applicable family eligibility conditions.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; the school directs parents to Durham County Council for primary admissions.

Familiarity and admission are separate matters. The school’s SEND transition arrangements include visits for children starting school and transition days between classes. These help children become acquainted with staff, surroundings and changed routines, rather than securing a place.

Nursery uniform combines a yellow polo shirt with a purple cardigan or sweatshirt and black or grey joggers. Logos are optional, allowing families to use supermarket clothing in the required colours. A donated Uniform Bank is open to families through the office, with access handled confidentially.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01388 814860 or email springmoorgrange@durhamlearning.net. Families wishing to discuss SEND can arrange an appointment through the office.