John F Kennedy Primary School Nursery

An outdoor area open for most of the day gives this nursery its clearest practical character: outdoor learning need not wait for a scheduled break. John F Kennedy Primary School’s nursery forms part of the primary school on Station Road in Washington. In January 2026, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to meet the expected standard.

Under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the school aims to balance activities planned by adults with activities children choose themselves. The school aims to give children opportunities to investigate, try things out and make decisions, with activities matched to what they can already do. That makes children’s starting points relevant to the work planned for them, rather than expecting everyone to begin in the same place.

Indoor learning is complemented by the nursery’s own outdoor area. Children can use it for most of the school day, rather than having a separate nursery playtime. This gives outdoor activity a place within the session itself. Morning and afternoon sessions serve children attending for 15 hours; those attending for 30 hours remain for lunch between the two.

Communication receives deliberate attention. In January 2026, staff helped children build confidence in speaking through their interactions, while independence was encouraged from the Nursery Year. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is the phonics programme, with teaching beginning in nursery to introduce the foundations of reading. Literacy and number learning also receive focused attention within the early years curriculum.

Predictable routines help children settle and become involved in learning. In January 2026, relationships with staff supported children’s emotional and social development, and the school worked with families to understand children’s starting points. For a child beginning nursery, that combines a familiar pattern to the session with attention to their individual needs.

Additional needs have shaped the early years provision: learning spaces indoors and outside, the curriculum and staff expertise have been adapted in response. The school’s SEND arrangements include individual support plans reviewed with parents and carers. Families are involved in discussions before a referral to specialist services, giving them a role in decisions about further support.

Lunch runs from 11:40am to 12:20pm for children attending for 30 hours. It sits between the morning and afternoon sessions, allowing these children to remain through the middle of the day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant closing date. Applications go online through Sunderland Local Authority; families should check the deadline for their application year.

The curriculum starts in nursery and continues into Reception. That continuity concerns learning. It should be kept separate from the admissions decision when planning your child’s next step.

Morning nursery runs from 8:40am to 11:40am, with the afternoon running from 12:20pm to 3:20pm. These are the two session patterns for children attending for 15 hours. The school also accommodates children attending for 30 hours, who stay for lunch.

For enquiries, contact the school office on 0191 490 6454 or email info@jfkprimary.co.uk. An online contact form provides another route. The school is on Station Road, Washington, NE38 7AR.