🌈 Welcome to Our Early Years at Prudhoe West
We offer a high-quality, continuous early education experience for children from age two right up to their move into Year 1. Our dedicated Early Years setting provides a secure and nurturing environment where children work, play and learn supported by an exceptional team of qualified and experienced staff.
Our provision is divided into three distinct stages, each with its own purpose-built area tailored to the needs of that age group:
- Pre-School Provision (The Rainbow Room): From your child's 2nd birthday up to Nursery age.
- Nursery: From the term after a child's 3rd birthday up to Reception age.
- Reception Classes: From the September after a child's 4th birthday.
✨ Learning and Environment
Across all groups, we balance short periods of focused teaching with extended access to a variety of activities in both our indoor and outdoor areas. This encourages independence, interaction and play.
- Our Nursery and Reception classes are led by qualified teachers.
- Our Pre-School room is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced Teaching Assistant.
- All staff are supported by highly skilled and qualified Teaching Assistants/Key Workers, ensuring excellent adult-to-child ratios: 1:5 in Pre-School and 1:13 in Nursery (and often better in Reception than the required minimum of 1:30). We also have an Early Years Apprentice and additional SEN Teaching Assistants to provide support where needed.
🌳 Exciting Outdoor Provision Coming Soon!
Prudhoe West is investing a considerable amount of money to significantly improve the outdoor learning provision for our Early Years children. We are incredibly excited about the new plans that will be in place soon to enhance this vital part of your child’s learning journey!
➡️ Admissions and Funding
Pre-School (Ages 2–3)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Start Date |
As soon as your child turns two! |
|
Sessions |
We advocate for 5 x 3-hour sessions per week (8:30am–11:30am or 12:00pm–3:00pm). |
|
Funding |
Your child may be eligible for 15 or 30 hours per week of government funding. You can find out if you are eligible for any funding here. You can also pay for sessions if you are not entitled to funding. |
|
Ratio |
1 adult to every 5 children |
Nursery (Ages 3–4)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Start Date |
The term after your child turns three. |
|
Sessions |
All children are eligible for 15 hours per week for free (8:30am–11:30am or 12:00pm–3:00pm). We advocate for 5 x 3-hour sessions per week. |
|
Funding |
Free 30-hour government funded places are available (depending on eligibility). You can find out if you are eligible for 30 hour funding here. |
|
Flexibility |
Parents can add on a payable lunch session or pay for additional sessions if needed. |
|
Ratio |
1 adult to every 13 children |
|
Wrap- Around Care |
For those eligible for 30-hour funding, we offer fully flexible places used between our educational sessions and our wrap-around provision, Shining Stars Kids Club. This means your child can attend between 7:30am and 5:30pm. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements. |
Reception (Ages 4+)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Start Date |
The September after your child turns four. |
|
Sessions |
Full-time (8:30am–3:00pm). |
|
Meals |
All Reception children are eligible for Free School Meals. |
|
Wrap- Around Care |
We offer fully flexible places used between our educational sessions and our wrap-around provision, Shining Stars Kids Club. This means your child can attend between 7:30am and 5:30pm. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements. |
📞 How to Apply or Find Out More
If you wish to apply for a place in our Rainbow Room (2 year olds) or our Nursery (3–4 year olds) provision, please complete the appropriate form by clicking the links below:
For Reception, like most Northumberland schools, applications are handled by the Local Authority Admissions team. All the details you need are here.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 01661 832288.