Valley Road Academy Nursery

A three-hour morning shapes nursery life at Valley Road Academy: children start at 8.30am and finish at 11.30am. This gives families a clear collection point before lunchtime, an important practical consideration when fitting nursery around work or other childcare.

The school has both Nursery and a separate Pre School for two-year-olds. Pre School occupies the main school Gateway, placing the youngest children within the school site on Corporation Road in Hendon, Sunderland. Both groups have the same morning session times.

In October 2022, nursery children enjoyed activities both inside and outside, practising early mathematics alongside communication and language. The useful detail is how those skills connected with activities: themed learning areas drew on Halloween, autumn and stories the children had shared. Familiar stories and seasonal subjects gave children something concrete to talk about while applying their learning.

That is a practical picture of early years foundation stage learning: developing language and mathematical understanding through activities children can take part in. The themes brought those areas together rather than treating them as isolated subjects. For parents, the distinction matters because learning here included children demonstrating and using their skills, alongside enjoying the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Families with questions about special educational needs and disabilities can contact the school's SEND coordinator. Valley Road Academy says it aims to reduce obstacles to learning and improve access to its curriculum and physical environment. A discussion about a child's particular needs should focus on how those aims translate into support during the nursery morning.

Support for parents also includes signposting to The Toby Henderson Trust, which supports autistic people and their families in the North East, and Sunderland SENDIASS, which provides information, advice and support for families of children with SEND. These give parents routes to advice beyond their conversations with school staff.

Complex needs. In October 2022, a school-wide concern was that curriculum delivery for a few pupils whose special educational needs were complex limited their progress. Leaders were developing changes. Families considering nursery for a child with complex needs should discuss how learning activities will be adapted for their child.

Safety concerns can be raised with the school's safeguarding team. Its structure includes a designated lead and deputies drawn from pupil and family support, senior leadership and SEND coordination, giving families several staff roles through which to raise a concern.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate: families must apply again through the normal Reception application process by the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as two separate decisions.

Nursery collection is at 11.30am from nursery or pre-school. The morning finish is the key time to build into family arrangements.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 0191 5002999 or email valleyroadschool@valleyroad.org.uk. The school address is Corporation Road, Hendon, Sunderland, SR2 8PL.