Admissions to Nursery

WELCOME TO ST CATHERINE’S NURSERY

Joining our Nursery is the beginning of your child’s educational journey with us. Our Early Years provision supports children aged 3-5 and is split into two phases: Lower EY (Nursery) and Upper EY (Reception). At St Catherine’s, play, hands on exploration and meaningful experiences sit at the heart of learning, enabling every child to grow in confidence, curiosity and independence.

St Catherine’s is based in Sandyford, nestled between Newcastle City Centre and Heaton, just south of Jesmond and north of the Ouseburn. We are just minutes from the Coast Road, reached by turning onto Sandyford Road, and located right next to Café Filto. We are fortunate to back onto Heaton Park and Jesmond Dene, giving our children the benefit of learning using two of Newcastle’s most loved green spaces.

We also offer wraparound care from 7:30am to 5:45pm, supporting families who need extended provision beyond Nursery hours.

As a welcoming and inclusive school community, we accept children from families of all faiths and none. Our Catholic ethos underpins our school’s inclusive, nurturing and family‑centred values - a community where every child is loved, supported and encouraged to ‘be who God meant them to be’. When there are enough places available at the school, every child who applies will be offered a place, regardless of faith background.

We currently have places available in Nursery, Reception and in other year groups across the school.

A DAY IN NURSERY

Every day in Nursery is filled with purposeful, engaging learning - both indoors and outdoors. Children take part in:

Daily carpet sessions focusing on communication & language, maths or understanding the world
We also provide phonological awareness sessions which are aligned with the school’s phonics scheme.
Indoor and outdoor provision supported by skilled, nurturing staff
Creative, messy and sensory play opportunities
Focused time to develop fine-motor and gross-motor skills.
Shared story time, reflection and calm end of day routines

We make full use of our brand‑new outdoor provision, designed to spark curiosity, physical development and imaginative play. We access the outdoors in all weathers, so we ask parent/carers to provide a puddle suit and wellies to keep at school.

Our indoor provision is geared towards developing language through our enabling environment where children can access their own learning through the different areas and labelled resources. Positive relationships are formed between staff and pupils and staff regularly up-date their CPD on language development through opportunities provided by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and the local authority.

Our Nursery children leave here ready for school, having developed independence, confidence and the skills and knowledge needed for Reception class.

Funded Hours

15 hours

From the term after their third birthday, all children are entitled to 15 funded hours per week.

To support the needs of different families, we offer four different attendance patterns:

Option A:

Mon–Tue 8:45am–3:15pm
Wed 8:45am–12:15pm

Option B:

Wed 11:45am–3:15pm
Thu–Fri 8:45am–3:15pm

Option C:

Mon–Fri 8:45am–3:15pm

Option D:

Top‑up on Wednesday am or pm

30 hours

Eligible working parent/carers can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare for 38 weeks a year, and these hours can be used with any registered childcare provider.

Parent/carers may:

use all their funded hours with a single provider, or
split their hours between more than one setting, depending on what works best for their family

At St Catherine’s, you are able to use your 30 hour entitlement with us, as our school-based Nursery is available five days a week from 8:45am – 3:15pm.

More information on eligibility and how funded childcare works can be found at:
www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

Early Years Options on Our School Site

There are two early years settings operating on the St Catherine’s school site:

St Catherine's Nursery (ages 3-5)

Our school‑led Nursery forms the first stage of our Early Years provision and welcomes children from the term after they turn three. As a school‑based Nursery, we have a qualified teacher and another member of staff who holds at least a Level 3 qualification. We offer a curriculum designed specifically for 3- and 4‑year‑olds, building on their prior knowledge and skills and preparing them for a smooth transition into Reception.

Ladybirds Playgroup (18 months - 5)

An independently run provider based within the schoolbuilding, offering early years care for younger children. Ladybirds operatesfrom a single room in St Catherine’s, where children aged 18 months to 5 yearsshare the same space for play and care.

These two settings operate separately but provide families with flexible, onsite options from 18 months through to Reception entry.

A GLimpse into our Early Years ...

Click the image below to watch our video

Admissions | Joining Our Nursery

We currently have Nursery places available, and we welcome enquiries from all families.

As a Catholic school, our ethos is rooted in values of kindness, respect and community, and we welcome children and parent/carers of all faiths and of no faith.

Faith background is only considered within our published oversubscription criteria, and only in the event that we receive more applications than places available. If there are sufficient places, every applicant is offered a place, regardless of faith.

Children can join Nursery at three points across the academic year, depending on when they turn three:

Autumn Term intake: for children turning three between April and August
Spring Term intake: for children turning three between September and December
Summer Term intake: for children turning three between January and March

Families can apply for a Nursery place at any time, and our school is here to support you throughout the process. Whether you’d like more information, have a question about your child’s start date, or want help understanding your funded hours, we’re happy to guide you.

To speak with us, check availability or begin the application process, please get in touch with our school office maybe make reference to the contact page below use the contact form or call us directly - we’re here to help every step of the way.

Admissions

Admissions to nursery