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Nursery at Willow Wood Community Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Outdoor learning and conversation give Willow Wood’s nursery its character. Children share outdoor play with older Reception children, while adults use activities to build vocabulary and encourage talk. This is the school’s own Nursery class in Red House, Sunderland, where the June 2023 inspection recorded frequent shared outdoor learning with Reception children.
Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 June 2023. That judgement covers the early years stage within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Language runs through the learning. In June 2023, adults revisited important ideas and words across activities, and planned opportunities that encouraged children to talk. For a young child, this means conversation is part of learning throughout the session, rather than confined to a single language activity.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum brings together movement, communication, emotional development and learning about the world, alongside mathematics, literacy and creative expression. Willow Wood’s EYFS resources include Birth to 5 Matters and Development Matters, with separate nursery planning and skills progression documents. These give the nursery curriculum its own place within the school’s planning.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised introduces early phonics. Nursery children explore sounds from their surroundings before beginning to identify letter sounds within words. The emphasis starts with listening. This gives parents a concrete picture of the early steps towards reading, rather than suggesting nursery children follow the same lessons as older pupils.
Little Dribblers adds a named activity: Foundation of Light staff work with nursery and Reception children on Wednesday mornings, combining basic football practice with listening and speaking. Physical activity and communication meet in the same session.
Settling was a strength of the early years provision in June 2023: children became comfortable quickly, and staff developed an understanding of individual needs through close contact with parents. That partnership matters when a child is beginning to spend time away from home.
The school trains staff to respond to difficulties through a trauma-based approach, considering children’s experiences and supporting families. Parents can contact the SENDCo through SEND@wwprimary.org.uk, giving them a direct route for discussing additional needs.
Sunderland City Council supplies lunches, with menus designed for nursery children as well as primary pupils. Choices include vegetarian hot dishes, and the menu follows a three-week rotation. Packed lunches are permitted for medical or religious needs only, so families with dietary requirements should take that condition into account. Ask the school for current meal charges.
Attending Willow Wood’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The school directs parents to Sunderland City Council for admission arrangements; nursery enrolment should not be treated as the Reception application.
Shared outdoor learning provides a practical connection with the next class. In June 2023, nursery children regularly learned alongside Reception children and benefited from their example. This is familiarity with older children, separate from any decision about allocating places.
The school office handles enquiries on 0191 5491509 or office@wwprimary.org.uk. School tours can be arranged by contacting the office for an appointment, offering families a practical way to discuss the nursery before choosing it.
A free breakfast club is offered to all children from 8am to 8:25am, Monday to Friday. This adds a short period of care before the school day. Children attending breakfast club must be handed over by an adult; the entrance is the EYFS door.
Early years provision was graded Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 June 2023. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, not a separate nursery rating.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is introduced through sound exploration, including environmental sounds, before children begin recognising letter sounds in words.
Yes. The June 2023 inspection described outdoor learning alongside Reception children, whose example benefited nursery children.
No. Families need a separate Reception application through the normal process. The school directs parents to Sunderland City Council for admission arrangements.
Contact the school office to arrange a tour appointment: 0191 5491509 or office@wwprimary.org.uk.
