St Mary's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Little Acorns gives two-year-olds a morning option, while older nursery children can attend mornings, afternoons or full days. This is the nursery provision at St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Long Newton, with a practical emphasis on choosing sessions around a family's needs.

The school's Christian values are Love, Hope and Trust. It aims to recognise each child's individuality, giving families a clear sense of the ethos surrounding the nursery.

Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons begin at 12:15pm and finish at 3:15pm. Little Acorns operates in the morning only. For children staying all day, lunchtime supervision is included, so lunch forms part of their nursery care rather than requiring a separate collection.

Early years learning sits within a curriculum that the school aims to build progressively in knowledge, vocabulary and skills. Its Mirrors, Windows and Doors approach encourages children to consider their own beliefs, understand other people's perspectives and respond with kindness. The intention is to connect learning with how children treat others.

Autumn home activities make those ideas concrete. Children can create a leaf collage after a walk with an adult, talk about family photographs or paint a pumpkin. Board and card games introduce waiting and taking turns. These are activities for home, giving parents ways to join in with early learning rather than a description of a daily classroom timetable.

Before a child turns three, the Early Years team contacts the family during the preceding term to organise a visit and agree a starting date. That gives parents a point of contact before attendance begins. The nursery application also asks about medical, physical or behavioural needs, allowing families to flag care requirements at the outset.

For an all-day place, parents can choose a charged school meal or send a packed lunch. Supervision at lunchtime is included. A collection keyword is requested as part of the nursery application, making collection arrangements something families establish before starting.

Staff roles include a nursery teaching assistant who also supervises Doves wraparound care. For concerns about special educational needs or disabilities, families can contact the school's SEND coordinator through the office. The school aims to tailor learning opportunities to individual needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal school admissions process; Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council processes Reception admissions.

For September 2025 entry, families had to complete their home local authority's common application form by 15 January, including those already attending the Early Years Unit. Nursery attendance conferred no priority in that cycle's oversubscription criteria. Families choosing nursery now should treat Reception as a separate application and check the arrangements for their child's entry year.

From age three, the nursery offers 15 funded hours a week, with 30 funded hours for eligible children. Families can request how to use their hours and pay for additional attendance. Contact the school for current charges.

Requests can specify days and full-day, morning or afternoon attendance. Acceptance depends on staffing and numbers. Submit the nursery request form for a team response, or call 01642 581716. School visits can also be arranged by telephone.