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Nursery at Holywell Village First 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Children’s ideas can change the direction of learning at Holywell Village First School’s nursery. A theme might occupy a few days or continue for weeks, with staff adapting activities to the interests children bring. That gives play a real influence on what happens next.
There is one part-time nursery class within the school, with children of mixed abilities learning together. At the Ofsted inspection on 21 and 22 January 2025, early years provision was judged Outstanding. This is the school’s early years judgement, covering provision within the school.
The morning runs from 9am until noon. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), play provides opportunities for children to develop language, explore ideas and build skills. Adults watch how children play, join their interactions and use what they learn to decide the next steps for individual children and the class. Planning responds to children rather than keeping every theme to a fixed duration.
Core books provide another thread through the year. Staff share these books and connect them with children’s learning; vocabulary is also planned for children to encounter and use during play. In January 2025, early years children were learning syllables rapidly, including by clapping sounds. It is a concrete example of early reading foundations being taught through an activity children can take part in physically.
Practical learning includes choosing resources, discussing ideas in a familiar group and recognising when help is needed. The foundation-stage design and technology approach includes using tools and equipment, including writing pencils, and selecting technology for a purpose. These activities connect making things with communication and independence. A Wednesday EYFS assembly takes place in a classroom, adding a shared gathering to the morning’s learning.
The school aims to shape learning and support around individual needs, with parents involved in children’s care and learning. For nursery families, that makes the relationship between home and staff part of the school’s stated approach.
Tapestry supports contact during a school or class closure: adults can access play activities linked to early number recognition or phonics, then share photographs and comments with the teacher. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the designated lead, with a deputy handling concerns when the lead is unavailable. Families can also contact the school office to speak with the governor responsible for safeguarding.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.
Keep that application separate from the nursery decision. Choosing this morning provision means choosing the nursery experience; it should not be treated as securing a later school place.
The nursery timetable provides 15 teaching hours, with morning sessions from 9am to noon. Morning provision. The noon finish matters for family schedules: afternoon care needs to be planned separately.
A separate provider operates out-of-hours care on the school site and is independent of the school. Nursery enquiries can be made through the school office on 0191 2370384 or by emailing admin@holywell.northumberland.sch.uk.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, with 15 nursery teaching hours in the timetable.
Staff adapt planning around children’s interests and ideas, observe their play and plan their next learning steps. Core books also support learning across the year.
Early years provision was judged Outstanding at the school’s Ofsted inspection on 21 and 22 January 2025. This judgement covers early years within the school.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline.
Contact the school office on 0191 2370384 or email admin@holywell.northumberland.sch.uk.
