Whinstone Primary School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and children’s own interests shape Whinstone’s early years provision. The nursery, known as Pre-school, belongs to Whinstone Primary School in Ingleby Barwick and has 60 places. Children can start in the term following their third birthday, subject to space. Its character comes from combining adult teaching with activities children initiate themselves, giving them opportunities both to follow guidance and to make choices.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for learning here. In parent language, Whinstone combines teaching with exploring, experimenting and playing, while children develop friendships and social skills. Communication receives a clear emphasis: talking about ideas is part of learning, rather than simply something that happens between activities.

Whinstone Workers is the named programme used to tailor learning and identify a child’s next steps. Parents contribute children’s interests to topic planning, so home experiences can help shape activities. Staff also exchange feedback with families and use assessment to identify what needs further attention.

At the April 2022 inspection, early years children practised phonics through play, began mathematics sessions on entry and discussed stories with adults. Questions extended their thinking; a cardboard-box shop gave children a practical reason to exchange ideas. That example captures the connection between imaginative play and language development.

Making is another strand. Early years design activities introduce materials and the skills of cutting, sticking, joining and building. The themes All About Me, Planet Earth and World of Books provide contexts for this work. Children explore tools before developing greater control and explaining how they made something, connecting practical activity with speaking and thinking.

Before a place is accepted, the Pre-school team contacts families when their child turns three to discuss availability and the acceptance process. This gives parents a direct conversation with the team before the start. Once children attend, regular exchanges between home and staff form part of the early years approach.

Additional needs are addressed through the school’s SEND arrangements. Teachers, parents and the special educational needs coordinator agree support, then review it through Assess–Plan–Do–Review. Plans include targets, adaptations and termly reviews, giving families defined opportunities to discuss progress and adjust support.

For children with SEND, Preparation for Adulthood starts in early years. Examples include practising handwashing, toileting and managing belongings, supporting communication and emotional regulation, and using visual schedules and Now/Next boards. Across the school, accessible building features include wide corridors and an accessible toilet. These are practical details for families considering their child’s access needs.

Attending Whinstone’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Stockton-on-Tees admissions, because the local authority handles school admissions. Choosing Pre-school therefore involves two separate decisions: the nursery experience now and an application for school later.

Transition support sits alongside that application. For children with SEND, the Nursery-to-Reception arrangements include additional visits, photo books, social stories and sessions to meet staff. These provide ways to become familiar with the next stage; they do not secure admission.

Families have a choice between 30-hour provision across Monday to Friday and a two-and-a-half-day pattern. The shorter pattern groups attendance at either end of the week: Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon followed by Thursday and Friday. That concentrates attendance into a predictable part of the week.

Morning sessions run from 8.55am to 11.55am, with afternoon sessions from 12.25pm to 3.25pm. Pre-school has a 30-minute lunch break.

For nursery enquiries, email admissions@whinstone.org.uk. Families can add their child to the waiting list directly through the school. Uniform is expected for all children, but a school logo is optional, giving parents flexibility over where they buy it.