St Bernadette's Catholic Primary, Wallsend: Nursery Review

A shared lunchtime links the shorter nursery sessions with the longer day at St Bernadette's: children attending for 15 hours can stay to eat alongside those attending for 30. The extra lunchtime attendance carries no charge, although families taking this option pay for the school meal. It gives children on different session patterns a chance to spend that part of the day together.

This is nursery provision within a Catholic primary school at Rising Sun Cottages in Wallsend. The school's age range starts at 3. Families can choose morning or afternoon provision, while the longer option follows the timing of the school day, making collection easier to coordinate with older siblings.

Language and practical number work give the early years curriculum its character. In April 2024, Ofsted found skilled adult interaction and a classroom that encouraged children to use their learning independently. Children demonstrated counting with quantities that increased or decreased by one. That is a concrete example of understanding numbers through objects rather than simply reciting them.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) also includes thinking about time: children consider events they can remember and events beyond their own memories. These early experiences connect language, number and an understanding of the past.

Essential Letters and Sounds is the school's phonics programme, with daily phonics teaching across Early Years. It connects spoken sounds with written letters and teaches children to combine sounds when reading. Daily reading for enjoyment also takes place in each class, giving books a place alongside the technical work of learning to read.

Visits from local university students support Early Years learning about dental hygiene. This brings an everyday care routine into the curriculum, with a practical connection to children's lives.

An Early Years team handles nursery handovers, including meeting afternoon children at the main entrance. Morning children are collected through the main office entrance; afternoon collection is from the nursery classroom. The different collection points matter when arranging who will pick up a child.

Lunches are supplied by Hutchisons and ordered online beforehand. Families register an account directly with the caterer and pre-order meals online.

For concerns about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can contact the school's SEND coordinator through the office. The school aims to identify needs early, adapt teaching and work with families and external professionals. This gives parents a direct route to start a discussion about support.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Choosing a nursery session and applying for a school place are separate decisions; the nursery place should not be treated as securing the next stage.

Morning sessions run from 9:00am to noon; afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Both are 15-hour options. For the 30-hour option, gates open at 8:50am, registration is at 8:55am and learning begins at 9:00am, with nursery finishing at 3:30pm. The extension to match school-day timings has no extra charge.

Nursery applications can be made throughout the year by returning a register of interest form with relevant paperwork. Visits are arranged through the school office. Email office@st-bernadettesprimary.co.uk to arrange an appointment, or telephone 0191 643 3400. For current charges, contact the school.