Dame Dorothy Primary School Nursery

A garden, a working kitchen and space to learn outdoors give Dame Dorothy’s nursery a practical character. Children explore through activities they choose themselves as well as tasks guided by adults, with speaking and vocabulary the central focus. There is plenty to talk about.

The nursery has an intake of 26 places and sits within the school’s early years foundation stage (EYFS) unit for children aged 3 to 5. Based on Dock Street in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, it follows a morning pattern: 15 hours each week, divided into five sessions of three hours. For families, that means a regular morning commitment rather than a full nursery day.

Learning combines children’s interests with daily teacher-led work in literacy, numeracy and the subjects woven into topic activities. In parent terms, the EYFS experience here brings early language and number learning together with physical activity and exploration. Indoor and outdoor resources are freely accessible, and workshop spaces and additional materials change around topics and what interests the children. Choice has a place alongside adult direction.

Communication runs through the activities. Adults model speech and introduce vocabulary through new experiences; the garden and kitchen provide concrete things to discuss. Nursery number work includes counting collections of everyday objects, saying numbers aloud during routines and recognising numbers up to 10. This puts early maths into familiar situations rather than keeping it solely to a separate lesson.

The surrounding sea and river also feature in learning about the local environment, alongside the setting’s Beach School qualification. Outdoor activity has timetabled space, while coached PE, yoga and mindfulness form part of the early years programme. Weekly music sessions include nursery children too. These give the morning more than one mode of learning: talking, moving and listening all have their place.

Parents can follow individual learning through Tapestry and respond to the updates. An end-of-summer-term report covers every EYFS child, and families with concerns can arrange an appointment with the team. This creates opportunities both to see everyday achievements and to discuss a concern directly.

For additional needs, the school’s support structure brings together class teachers and the SEND coordinator. Support plans are reviewed with parents each term, and the coordinator can liaise with Speech and Language Therapy and Educational Psychology. The school building is on a single level, with ramps, accessible doors, an adapted toilet and changing facilities: practical details for families considering physical access.

Food has one nursery-specific connection: the Bagel Bar outside the breakfast club entrance serves nursery children as well as older pupils. It gives families a breakfast option connected to the school morning.

Separate application. A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception, and nursery attendance is not an oversubscription priority. Families must make a fresh application through the local authority process and meet its closing date. Nursery families receive a local authority letter explaining how to apply; the local authority makes the offer on the school’s behalf. Treat this as a separate decision from choosing the nursery.

Transition support is a different matter. For children with SEND moving between classes, information and support plans pass to the next teacher ahead of the move. A transition plan may include short periods with the new teacher and visits to the next classroom where needed. Those arrangements support familiarity; they do not change admission entitlement.

The booking pattern is mornings only, with five three-hour sessions making up the weekly 15 hours. Nursery registration forms can be collected from the office once a child reaches 2; completed forms go back with a birth certificate and address evidence. For enquiries, contact 0191 250 5525 or office@damedorothyprimary.co.uk.

Outdoor clothing matters. Children need labelled wellington boots kept at school and a waterproof coat that can withstand washing. Baking and special events carry an encouraged contribution, and planned trips may involve a requested contribution too. Contact the school for current charges.