Nursery (Pre-school)

Nursery is the beginning of some children’s learning journey in the Early Years Foundation Stage at Meadowdale Academy. Children in nursery learn through exciting and engaging activities, which are planned to motivate and inspire young learners. Pupils’ interests and passions are considered by practitioners to engage, enthuse, and stimulate effective learning and development. 

Our belief, that children learn quickly through their own interests and passions, is embedded within our approach of providing every child the opportunity to be at the centre of their own learning. We encourage pupils to become independent learners, develop self-motivation and to believe in themselves and each other. Built on the principles of learning through play, pupils in the phase develop and extend their language and communication skills; take risks and make mistakes without fear of failure; and make sense of the world around them through fist-hand experiences indoors and outdoors. 

High-value is placed upon communication and language, allowing them to take initiative and express their needs and desires. This is achieved through fun and engaging stories and song, role-play activities, and communication and repeat reading children develop a love of reading and books from early on in life. 

Early relationships, build upon mutual respect, tolerance and trust, are created here. Children learn to express themselves, take turns and show empathy through effective communication with peers, enabling them to feel safe and happy. Children also develop relationships with practitioners who consider the child’s individual needs, feelings and interests. Each child is assigned a ‘key person’ who provide a special relationship with the child and their parent/carer(s). 

Through play, including a range of fun and lively activities, games and songs, children develop their awareness and understanding of literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and design and the world. 

Pupils leave nursery well-prepared for their future in Reception, the subsequent year in the Early Years Foundation Stage. 

Find termly curriculum overviews here. 

Wraparound childcare 

We are dedicated to providing a quality service to parents/carers and children alike. It is our aim that the Wraparound child care is not only a reliable and convenient childcare service for parents/carers, but also an enjoying and fulfilling out of school experience for the children. It is our intention that children and their individual needs are at the core of what we do. We believe that all children have the right to access quality play opportunities. We seek to create a ‘home from home’ experience in which the children are encouraged to develop socially, physically, intellectually, creatively, emotionally and spiritually through a variety planned activities and play opportunities.

All children from Reception to Year 6 are welcome to attend.

Your child can only attend the club once they have been registered. Registration forms contain details of your child, emergency contact/safe collection information and various parental consent forms. Wraparound care starts at 7:30am and closes for this term on Tuesdy 20th December 2022.

Address:  Meadowdale Academy Out of School Club, Hazelmere Avenue, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6HA.

Telephone: 01670 823170

Email: [email protected]

Ofsted Reg: URN130878

Welcome from Miss Holmes – EYFS Lead

Exciting times ahead at Meadowdale!

I would first like to say how privileged I am to have been invited to be part of your school community at such a pivotal time for your children as they take the next steps on their learning journeys.

Early Years is my passion and I simply cannot wait to lead the development of a safe, stimulating and inspiring environment within which our children can play, learn and thrive alongside their friends and teachers. It is my aim to create a bright yet calm space, where everything has its place and children are encouraged to select their own resources in order to confidently take their learning forward in both our inside and outside classrooms. We are very lucky in Early Years to be able to take the lead from our pupils and I am sure that this will result in some fantastic paths of learning which we will fill with awe and wonder, enabling our children to reach for the stars and beyond!

We are not only here to educate and inspire our wonderful pupils, but also to support and guide the families of Meadowdale, as your children learn and grow. We will offer regular opportunities for ‘drop ins’ and open-door sessions linked to specific curriculum areas, but will also always be here if you simply need someone to talk to about anything – however big or small. Meadowdale is more than just a school – it is a community and we aim to establish this ethos right from the very start with our youngest learners.

A happy school community, who work together, creates happy, well-rounded children who are inspired to learn about the world around them and have a strong set of core values which will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

I look forward to meeting you all soon and building what I know will be an amazing Early Years team.

‘When we all work together, amazing things can happen!’

Your Early Years Leader – Becky Holmes