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Nursery at Redby Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Two small-group activities give each nursery session its structure; children’s own interests shape much of the time around them. Redby Academy’s nursery combines adult guidance with play that children choose themselves, rather than treating the whole session as a lesson. It forms part of the school’s early years provision on Fulwell Road in Sunderland.
Places are offered, subject to space, from the term after a child’s third birthday or the following September. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning about language, movement and relationships with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. For the youngest children, communication, physical development and social and emotional development receive the greatest emphasis. This makes talking, moving and getting along with others part of learning itself.
Within each session, children take part in two activities led by adults in small groups. Alongside planned teaching, staff respond to interests as play develops. Indoor and outdoor spaces both support this mix. Designated making areas give children somewhere to experiment with recycled materials, joining and folding them into their own creations. Art materials are accessible daily, with opportunities for children to explore independently.
Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics brings together poems, stories, action rhymes and listening activities. Oral blending introduces the idea of combining spoken sounds into words. A short maths session takes place daily: songs, games, pictures and physical objects support counting to 20, matching a count to each object, early calculation and recognising shapes. These are concrete beginnings, with play providing further opportunities to practise.
In March 2023, early years children were developing number knowledge from an early stage and speaking confidently with adults and one another. Rhythm and rhyme also featured in their learning. Those findings give substance to the emphasis on language and early maths.
Each child has a Key Person who adapts care and learning to their needs and supports parents with development at home. Staff consider whether children with special educational needs or disabilities need specialist help, involving other services when appropriate. Support activities can be brought into a child’s play, keeping help connected to what they are doing.
Parents contribute observations from home to the learning journal. Stay and play sessions offer opportunities to watch children with their peers and speak with staff, while two parents’ evenings provide time to discuss care and progress. Urgent matters can be raised at the start or end of the day; longer conversations can be arranged separately.
The nursery teaching team shares teaching across the week and includes a teaching assistant. Children staying across lunchtime have a lunch period from 11:45am to 12:30pm, with a daily charge applying to those who stay for lunch. Families should obtain current charges from the school.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Sunderland Council’s coordinated admissions scheme, using the normal application deadline for their child’s entry year. The online route is Sunderland City Council’s Family Portal; a paper application can be requested by email from the council’s admissions team.
Keep that application separate from nursery learning. Familiarity with the school and preparation through play do not replace the Reception admissions process.
The 15-hour patterns include five mornings, 8:45am to 11:45am, or five afternoons, 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Alternatively, families can combine Monday and Tuesday full days with Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon with Thursday and Friday full days. Full days run from 8:45am to 3:30pm. These patterns offer a choice between shorter daily sessions and attendance concentrated into part of the week.
For parents eligible for the 30-hour grant, the full-week option runs Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 3:30pm. The funded provision is term-time, and eligibility evidence is required for a 30-hour place. Nursery applications go through the school office, with proof of the child’s age required. Parents can also arrange an appointment to see the early years spaces and meet staff. Nursery questions can be emailed to enquiries.nursery@rdb.tynecoast.academy.
Subject to space, children can be offered a place the term after their third birthday or the September after their third birthday.
The 15-hour options are five mornings, five afternoons, or one of two patterns combining full days with a Wednesday half session. Eligible parents can choose the 30-hour Monday-to-Friday option.
Children have two adult-led small-group activities alongside play they choose themselves. Learning includes Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics, a short daily maths session, art and making activities, indoors and outdoors.
Parents can contribute to the learning journal, attend stay and play sessions and discuss care and progress at two parents’ evenings. Each child also has a Key Person.
No. Families need a separate application through Sunderland Council’s coordinated admissions scheme by the normal deadline for their child’s entry year.
