Cleadon Church of England Academy Nursery Review

Story-led learning and a wooded Forest School area give Cleadon’s nursery its character. Children’s interests help shape the curriculum, while staff encourage them to make choices and become more independent. This is the nursery within Cleadon Church of England Academy on Boldon Lane, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 February 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. Nursery children picked up familiar routines readily, and outdoor learning helped them grow in confidence with doing things for themselves and persisting through challenges.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning together through stories, topics and children’s interests. In nursery, planning in the moment also allows staff to respond to what captures a child’s attention. Adults support children’s choices, use questions to extend their thinking and set particular tasks alongside independent learning. The balance gives children room to explore while keeping an adult involved in developing the learning.

Books provide a shared thread. The Reading Spine, introduced in 2023, includes nursery and brings together stories chosen with children’s input. Its books explore family differences, disability and diversity alongside language development. Children hear them at story time and can borrow them from the school library to enjoy at home. Early sound work starts with noticing and identifying sounds when nursery children are ready, laying foundations for later phonics.

Outside, EYFS children use the dedicated Forest School area. The woodland sits beside the field, away from the main school building, giving outdoor learning a distinct physical setting. Forest School leaders have training for their role, and the programme’s possible activities include spotting mini-beasts, making natural-material art and building dens. These are examples across the programme, rather than a fixed nursery activity list.

In February 2024, early years staff adjusted learning to individual children and worked with parents. Everyday conversations helped children develop their language and understanding of others; children also showed willingness to collaborate and engage with activities. For families, that places communication and responsive adult support alongside the curriculum itself.

The school’s special educational needs coordinator can be contacted at sclsendco@cleadonacademy.co.uk. Safeguarding and pastoral concerns are recorded through CPOMS, which alerts the relevant staff and brings information together. This gives concerns a shared recording route rather than leaving them with one adult.

Lunch occupies 11:30am to 12:30pm in the nursery timetable. Across the school, the aim is to encourage balanced eating through meals and packed lunches, with less refined sugar and saturated fat.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a separate task when planning your child’s next step.

Preparation for Reception is also part of nursery learning: staff develop the foundations children will need for the move. Building independence through choices, questions and tasks is educational preparation, not an admissions advantage.

Nursery starts at 9:00am and finishes at 3:00pm. On Wednesdays only, afternoon children are admitted at 12:00pm. That Wednesday distinction matters when arranging childcare and collection around a session.

Admissions enquiries go to admissions@cleadonacademy.co.uk. General enquiries can be made through office@cleadonacademy.co.uk or 0191 536 7813; school office hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm.