St John the Baptist Primary School Nursery Review

Woodland walks, sound games and experiments with melting ice give this nursery a practical, exploratory character. St John the Baptist’s nursery sits within its Church of England primary school in Ragworth, Stockton-on-Tees. Alongside Nursery for children joining after their third birthday, Clever Caterpillars provides for two-year-olds. Both belong to the school’s Foundation Stage.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 November 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play leads the learning, indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, movement and relationships with early reading, number, creative work and exploration of the world. Children’s interests help shape activities, giving them reasons to ask questions, explain ideas and work with others.

Walking Wednesdays took Nursery children to nearby woodland and the local playground during autumn 2025. The Starry Night topic combined imaginative space play with patterns made from natural materials. In spring 2026, The Vegetable Patch brought measuring beanstalks, filling containers and vegetable printing into the learning. These are tangible ways to explore size, capacity and texture.

Sound work has a playful starting point: animal noises, rhymes and familiar stories encourage children to listen and join in. In November 2023, adults extended children’s vocabulary during play, and foundation phonics games helped introduce sounds and letters. The outdoor provision included a balance-bike track, adding a distinct physical challenge.

For younger children, the two-year-old class explored the school forest through squirrel hunts and parachute games in autumn 2025. A Crazy Creatures visit in summer 2026 brought bugs and minibeasts into their learning. Experiences like these give children something concrete to talk about.

Curriculum planning. In November 2023, guidance did not connect consistently with the early years curriculum, and some children’s achievement by the end of early years fell short of their potential. Closer alignment of planning and continued work with parents were required to help learning stick.

Settling begins with a home visit once a place becomes available. The Foundation Stage team gathers information about the child and answers parents’ questions before confirming the start date. This gives families a conversation with staff before sessions begin. In November 2023, early years children adapted promptly to everyday routines and showed enthusiasm for their activities.

Emotional learning is part of the day. Nursery children explored feelings through The Way I Act and When Sophie Gets Angry in autumn 2025, while the EYFS approach includes Zones of Regulation. The nursery and Clever Caterpillars staffing structure includes a teacher, teaching assistants and a role combining pastoral support, SEND support and management of the two-year-old provision.

For additional needs, the school uses a cycle of assessment, planning, support and review involving families. Parents can discuss speech, eating, toileting or sleep concerns with the class teacher or SEND team. Marvellous Me and Facebook carry school-to-home messages, helping families keep in touch with school life.

Breakfast provides a specific food option: nursery children aged three can attend the free club for cereal or toast. The school’s no-nut rule also matters when sending food from home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline.

Preparation for that next stage happens through nursery learning: listening to stories, retelling familiar events and practising sounds build attention and language. These activities support readiness; they do not secure admission.

Nursery and two-year-old sessions run from 8.30 to 11.30am or 12.15 to 3.15pm. The two-year-old provision offers 15 hours each week through morning or afternoon attendance. Breakfast club starts at 8am for nursery children aged three; families should notify school before attending. The school does not run paid after-school childcare and directs families to local providers.

Building work. The planned Early Years area includes meeting and intervention space, with completion expected in February 2027. Access routes and parking may change during construction, so school messages matter for drop-off and collection.

For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 01642 607123 or admin@jtbprimary.org. Visits can be arranged by contacting school.