Levendale Primary School Nursery Review

Counting cups in the home corner, building with blocks and finding a steady beat give Levendale’s nursery its practical character. Learning starts with things children can handle, hear and try for themselves.

Attached to Levendale Primary School in Yarm, the nursery caters for three- and four-year-olds, with 26 full-time-equivalent places across morning, afternoon and whole-day provision. At the school’s inspection on 13 and 14 June 2023, Ofsted judged early years provision Good. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play gives early learning a purpose. Children count plates and cups during home-corner play and match blocks with their shadows as they tidy. Adults introduce the language of size, weight, height and length through these everyday situations. Numbers and mathematical vocabulary therefore have something concrete attached to them.

Construction brings another kind of exploration. Nursery activities include making walls, towers and enclosed spaces, experimenting with balance and using tools for a task. Mixing and baking sit alongside opportunities to smell, touch and taste vegetables and fruit. These are practical ways to explore materials and food while learning about handwashing.

Music combines resources children can choose during play with sessions led by adults, concentrating on rhythm and keeping a regular beat. Nursery rhymes, stories and songs also introduce children to books from the start. In June 2023, children in early years explored their learning opportunities with curiosity and showed enthusiasm for learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes shape here through practical experiences: talking, making, exploring and trying ideas. Drawing Club supports early years writing, while learning about the natural world includes investigating the surroundings, handling natural materials and discovering the local area. For parents, that means early learning extends beyond paper-based tasks.

Settling takes time. Early years children often need time to settle; difficulties coping or making progress can prompt consideration of special educational needs. Nursery assessments help identify areas needing support, which may then be addressed through play or a specific intervention. Blast targets speech and language, while Start To Finish focuses on fine motor control.

Support draws on the class teacher, teaching assistants and the school’s special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo). Both the school and trust SENDCos hold the National Qualification for SENDCOS. Children on the SEND register have personalised support plans, discussed with parents at least termly, giving families regular opportunities to review what is helping.

School meals or a packed lunch are options for lunch. For wraparound care, Early Bird Club includes breakfast and Stay and Play includes a light meal or snack. Allergies are catered for in these clubs. The school’s accessible facilities include ramps and toilets with changing facilities, providing practical support for children with physical needs.

Attending Levendale’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process.

For September 2026 entry, nursery attendance carried no oversubscription priority. Applications used a Common Application Form, with a primary closing date of 15 January. That admissions cycle is past; nursery enrolment should still be treated separately from a Reception application.

Transition support has a different purpose: helping a child manage change. For children with communication and interaction difficulties, preparation can include classroom visits and photographs of important people and places. This is tailored to individual needs and offers familiarity, rather than an admissions advantage.

Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Whole-day nursery runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm. Notice the different finishing times when planning collection.

All three- and four-year-olds have a funded 15-hour entitlement over 38 weeks. Eligible families can access 30 hours, with an eligibility code required before starting. Additional hours can also be purchased by families who do not qualify. Meals involve a voluntary contribution, with packed lunches an alternative; contributions towards resources are voluntary too. Contact the school for current charges.

Early Bird Club opens at 7.45am, and Stay and Play has options ending at 4.30pm or 6pm. Wraparound places require advance booking and payment through Arbor, either regularly or as needed. Club collection and drop-off use the school’s main entrance, with staff signing children in and out.

Nursery application packs come from the school office, which also arranges visits. For enquiries, call 01642 783684 or email levendale@levendale.org.uk.