Harrow Gate Academy Nursery Review

Daffodils, Bluebells and a Wednesday Forest School session give Harrow Gate’s early years provision its own identity. Daffodils is the room for two-year-olds; Bluebells caters for children aged three and four. Both sit within Harrow Gate Academy on Piper Knowle Road in Stockton-on-Tees, with part-time and full-time attendance options.

Early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 11 and 12 June 2024. Children were confident with adults and understood the daily routines. For parents, that gives a picture of how children experienced the setting, alongside the practical differences between its two age groups.

Play shapes the learning. In Daffodils, activities follow children’s interests, with sensory exploration, music and creative play alongside time outdoors. Communication and growing independence are priorities for these younger children. Familiar routines give the session a predictable shape.

Bluebells combines imaginative play and problem-solving with activities that introduce early number and literacy skills. Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): here, that means attention to talking, listening, social development and independence as well as early learning. Activities are adapted around individual interests and needs rather than treating every child’s development as identical.

Outdoor learning happens daily, with nursery Forest School on Wednesdays. Weekly Forest School sessions last at least one hour and are led by a qualified practitioner with another staff member present. The Forest School Site and Wildlife area within the grounds provide physical spaces for exploration. Possible activities include bug hunts, shelter-making and planting; sessions follow children’s interests, and tool activities depend on age and skill. A changing area provides waterproof clothing, with spare footwear and clothes also accessible.

In June 2024, adult-guided early years activities included listening for sounds, singing and noticing rhymes. These build the listening skills children need before formal phonics. Launchpad for Literacy also operates across early years to identify developmental needs and support progress in specific areas.

Settling starts with opportunities to get acquainted. Nursery entrants are invited to Stay and Play events, and parents complete detailed entry forms so staff can prepare for additional needs or concerns. Home visits may take place before a child starts. For three- and four-year-olds, entry can be staggered across two or more weeks, allowing a gradual introduction.

The nursery team includes a teacher and nursery practitioners. Parents can use Class Dojo to contact staff directly, giving them a practical way to raise questions between conversations. For children with SEND, the school’s Graduated Approach includes termly reviews with parents. An Early Year SEND Specialist has completed speech, language and communication training, adding specific expertise for identifying needs early.

Meals are provided through the school’s partnership with Mellors Catering. Lunch choices include vegetarian food, cold food and two hot options. During Forest School cooking activities, allergies form part of the risk assessment and hand-cleaning supplies are provided before food or drinks. These are useful care details alongside the learning outdoors.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Stockton Borough Council’s admissions team, using the normal local authority process and its applicable deadline. Treat the Reception application as a separate family task, even if your child is already settled here.

Transition support has a different purpose. Nursery staff coordinate with Reception colleagues and pass reports and agreed records to another chosen or allocated school where appropriate. This helps the receiving staff understand the child; it does not secure admission.

Daffodils runs from 9:00am to noon for mornings and noon to 3:00pm for afternoons. Bluebells mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am, with afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Flexible attendance patterns and full-time places are also offered. Wraparound care opens at 7:40am and continues until 4:30pm, extending care beyond funded sessions.

Eligible families can access up to 30 funded hours. For three- and four-year-olds, parents can also pay to extend a 15-hour place by another 15 hours; contact the school for current charges and payment arrangements. Parents accepting these nursery places are expected to retain them for the academic year.

Enquiries can go to the school office on 01642 673984 or enquiries@harrowgateacademy.org, or through the online enquiry form. For Forest School, children bring outdoor clothing, with spare items available to support participation.