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Nursery at Oxhill 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A sunken sandpit, vegetable growing and a garden for two-year-olds give Oxhill’s nursery day a distinctly practical character. Children can investigate outdoors, make things and build independence through ordinary routines. This is a nursery school in its own right, in Stanley, serving children aged two to four, rather than a nursery class within a primary school.
The spacious Victorian building accommodates provision for over 100 children. Younger children have a dedicated classroom, while Willows provides a quieter sensory setting with its own garden. These different spaces allow activities and surroundings to be adjusted to children’s developmental needs.
Play combines children’s choices with activities guided by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning, development and care: here, that means practising conversation, movement, relationships and early mathematical ideas through things children can actually do. Seasonal projects include growing and minibeasts, alongside interests that emerge from the children themselves.
Books invite conversation. Through Dialogic Reading, adults ask about illustrations and characters, develop children’s answers and encourage them to retell stories. Core Books return across adult-led sessions and independent play, giving children repeated opportunities to use new vocabulary. Indoors, the Hive supports Developmental Movement Play, including rolling, crawling and experimenting with how bodies move through space.
Outside, a cargo net, tunnel and bridge offer different climbing challenges. There is a roly-poly hill, a yard for wheeled play and an allotment with a greenhouse. Children hunt for insects, play in dens and explore sand and water. Two-year-olds have their own garden. Waterproof clothing supplied by nursery helps outdoor learning continue through changing weather.
At the inspection on 1 and 2 July 2025, Ofsted found that learning developed from recognising plants and trees towards understanding seeds, blossom and flower names. Songs and rhymes also became more complex as children progressed. However, checks on learning were still developing, leaving the curriculum’s impact unclear; leaders also needed more systematic checks on their actions. Experiences of communities beyond children’s own were too limited. Families should weigh these assessment and curriculum concerns alongside the concrete learning opportunities.
A key person gives each child a familiar adult who plans around their interests and needs. Settling support for children with social or emotional needs can include visits with parents and shorter sessions. For children with SEND, arrangements may also include quiet visits outside normal hours and smaller groups where possible. This makes the starting pattern responsive to the individual child.
Willows caters for up to six children with one adult for every two children. Individual Learning Support Plans guide activities and resources, and the room also offers sensory breaks for children from other classrooms. Staff training includes Makaton, BLAST and PECS, providing different ways to support communication. Parents participate in support-plan reviews and discussions with the SENCO.
Class Dojo shares learning with families, alongside progress conversations with the key person. Full-day children bring a healthy packed lunch. Cooking and snack activities introduce food preparation and healthy choices; children also grow, gather and cook allotment vegetables. Toilet training is supported with parents, and accidents are handled discreetly. Safeguarding arrangements were effective in July 2025.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process. Treat that application as a distinct decision from choosing Oxhill’s nursery.
For children with SEND, transition centres on their chosen primary school. Extra visits can include support from a key person or SENCO, and primary staff can spend time at nursery. Meetings bring families and both settings together to discuss the child’s needs. These arrangements support continuity of care and learning; they do not secure admission.
For preschool children, the universal 15-hour offer runs over 38 weeks, using two full days and a Wednesday half-day. Eligible families can take 30 hours across Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 2:30pm, during term time. Two-year-old provision includes morning, afternoon and 30-hour patterns, depending on family needs and eligibility; paid sessions are subject to space.
Breakfast and tea clubs require advance booking and can only be used on nursery attendance days. Tea club is charged through to its finishing time regardless of earlier collection. Preschool wraparound places are limited. Contact the school for current charges.
Uniform is optional. Provide named spare clothes, wellingtons and a sunhat, with footwear and clothing children can manage themselves. To enquire, telephone 01207 232266 or email oxhillnursery@durhamlearning.net. Nursery applications use a completed form emailed to admissions.oxhillnursery@gmail.com; the admissions team then contacts families about a place and a visit.
The nursery provision caters for children aged two to four.
Yes. Outdoor spaces are used throughout the year, and nursery supplies waterproof clothing. Children should bring named wellingtons and a sunhat.
Families provide a healthy packed lunch. Cooking and snack activities also form part of nursery learning.
Transition is planned with parents and, where appropriate, other professionals. Arrangements can include shorter sessions, quieter visits and support from a key person.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. Transition support and school visits do not guarantee admission.
