Hardwick Green Primary Academy Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and outdoor exploration give Hardwick Green’s nursery its character. Little Stars is the dedicated room for two-year-olds, alongside a main nursery for children aged three and four. Both belong to the academy’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), giving families two distinct starting points within the school.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the academy; it is not a separate nursery rating. The early years findings highlighted children’s language development, social learning and opportunities to explore.

Language gets sustained attention here. Stories, rhymes and songs run through the nursery day, with adults encouraging children to listen, contribute and talk about books. CLPE’s Power of Reading provides the literary approach from Nursery onwards. For a young child, the emphasis is on hearing words, discussing stories and developing the spoken language that comes before reading.

The Voice 21 Oracy Framework adds specific speaking and listening goals across EYFS. Children practise taking turns, making themselves heard and asking questions, then begin connecting their ideas. These are useful everyday skills: joining a conversation and explaining a thought become part of learning.

In the final nursery term, Read Write Inc introduces phonics, helping children connect letters with spoken sounds. This comes alongside the broader EYFS work on early number skills, literacy and relationships. The November 2024 early years findings described a carefully planned curriculum and adult conversations that helped children understand their surroundings.

Outdoor learning has a physical purpose too. The early years outdoor area was designed to build large-muscle strength and encourage creativity. It gives movement and exploration a place alongside language and early number learning.

Emotional learning has a named place in nursery life. Jigsaw provides a weekly personal, social and health education lesson from Nursery onwards, bringing attention to feelings and relationships. The school also uses the Thrive Approach, with class action plans intended to support emotional and social development.

For children with additional needs, the school’s SENCo is the contact for discussing support. Healthcare plans are arranged before a child starts, or when a need becomes apparent, and are developed with parents and healthcare professionals. Staff working with the child receive the plan, helping care requirements carry through into the school day.

Children in the two-year-old provision can stay for lunch through the paid all-day option. Nursery Breakfast is a separate paid arrangement, so families should distinguish it from the free breakfast club for older children.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Stockton Borough Council and meet the normal Reception application deadline. Applying directly to the academy for nursery is a different process. Keep the Reception application on your calendar even when your child already attends Little Stars or the main nursery.

For two-year-olds, the booking pattern is five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions, with a paid option for all-day attendance. Eligible families may access 15 or 30 funded hours. The main nursery also offers 15-hour and 30-hour places for eligible families. Ask the school for current charges for additional attendance and Nursery Breakfast.

Tea-time club is restricted to Reception and older children, so it cannot extend a nursery day. That matters when matching childcare to working hours.

Nursery applications go directly to the academy. Families can arrange to look around, telephone 01642 677968 or email enquiries@hardwickgreenacademy.org.uk. The school office handles telephone and in-person enquiries between 8:00am and 4:00pm.