Sandcastles Nursery at Rockcliffe First School

Beach School gives Sandcastles Nursery a distinctly coastal character. Children use Whitley Bay’s beaches for learning beyond the classroom, with trained Beach School staff working alongside teachers. This is Rockcliffe First School’s own nursery, on Grafton Road, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Ofsted’s inspection on 7 and 8 February 2024 judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Stories, songs and rhymes are central to the nursery’s early reading experiences. In February 2024, children were enthusiastic about learning to read and generally recognised letter sounds before moving on. The emphasis gives children familiarity with language and sounds before their next stage of education.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) here combines a planned sequence of learning with conversation that develops language and understanding of other people. Adults adjust activities to children’s needs, while resources and planned tasks encourage children to cooperate and take an interest in learning. Nursery children also learn the daily routines quickly, helping them become familiar with how their session works.

Beach School adds a concrete outdoor dimension: the Whitley Bay coastline becomes a place for practical learning. In February 2024, nursery participation helped children build resilience and independence. The nursery’s curriculum themes for 2026 to 2027 include Nursery Rhymes in spring and Under the Sea in summer, giving families recognisable starting points for conversations about learning at home.

Working with parents is part of early years practice. In February 2024, staff adapted learning so that every child could participate. For a child who needs a different approach, that means support can shape the activity itself.

An Early Years Lead oversees SEND in this part of the school, alongside the SENCO. Both can be reached through the School Office. The school’s SEND process involves assessing needs, agreeing a plan with parents, putting support into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents therefore contribute to decisions about what their child needs.

Families receiving SEND support can meet their child’s teacher formally at least three times a year. A termly SEND Café provides contact with other families and services. School support may include small group work in a Nurture room, and the entitlement offer includes accessible toilets and help with personal care when needed.

Attending Sandcastles does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Rockcliffe’s admissions page directs school applications to North Tyneside Applications, so the nursery application should not be treated as an application for the next stage.

Transition support is a separate matter. For children with SEND, the school’s policy allows additional classroom visits and meetings with new teachers for children and parents. Familiarity can help a child prepare for change; it does not secure admission.

The nursery session runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. That three-hour morning is the practical starting point for planning collection and the rest of the day.

For September 2027 nursery entry, families apply directly to the school using a Nursery Admission Form obtained from the School Office. Contact office@rockcliffeschool.org.uk or telephone 0191 607 6573. Keep the nursery form and the separate school application as distinct tasks.