Our Nursery

The Nursery Class caters for 2-4 year olds and we offer funded places of 15 or 30 hours depending on eligibility (see below). We also offer chargeable child sessions outside of the funded hours entitlements and the Sunshine Club Holiday provision is open for some school holiday weeks.

St Oswald’s Nursery Curriculum

We follow the Early Years Foundation Curriculum. Our experienced and skilled Early Years Educators plan a wide range of engaging activities in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. We have a large, well-resourced outdoor area to which the children have access every day.

Our aim is to build upon children’s interests and events that are happening in the wider world as well as developing activities based on our nursery themes.

We value the children who attend our nursery as individuals and we want to help them develop, learn and shine!

Is my child eligible for 15 or 30 hours?

All children aged 3-4 are entitled to 15 funded hours in school term time from the start of the term that follows their 3rd birthday.  Some children will also be able to access an additional 15 funded hours depending on the Government’s eligibility criteria being met by their parent(s).  Some families with 2-year-olds may also be entitled to 15/30 hours depending on circumstances.

You can check your child’s entitlement to 15/30 funded hours via Childcare Choices at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk or the Childcare Calculator at www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator On our application form we ask that parents indicate if they believe that their child will be eligible for 15 or 30 funded hours based on the criteria.  Any place is offered subject to a confirmed HMRC code being provided to the school by the parent(s).  Any hours outside of the funded entitlement will be chargeable through the Sunshine Club.

These websites also provide information about other forms of childcare support including childcare vouchers and the tax-free scheme.  Those who could be eligible for 30 hours and/or Tax-Free Childcare will be directed to the digital childcare service to apply.  Both schemes work through the same checking system.  Parents who don’t want to use Tax-Free Childcare should still apply via the digital childcare service (you can choose to apply for the extended 30 hours entitlement only). If you are receiving financial support through tax credits (or childcare vouchers through an employer) and only want to take up 30 hours, you can choose not to apply for Tax-Free Childcare (and keep your tax credits/childcare vouchers) as part of the application.  Please note that you must check your eligibility for the 30 funded hours prior to accepting an offer of a place at St Oswald’s being made – we advise parents to do this as soon as possible so that the funded hours place can be confirmed as quickly as possible.  Please see additional information about the checking service at the bottom of this webpage.

When does the free 15/30 funded hours entitlement begin?

• Child born between 1 April – 31 August: September term intake
• Child born between 1 September – 31 December: January term intake
• Child born between 1 January – 31 March: April term intake

Children may be admitted to our Nursery from the date of their 2nd birthday with all sessions being chargeable until any funded entitlement begins.  If you wish to apply for such a place, please indicate this on the application form under ‘additional information’.

How do I apply for a place?

You can apply for a place in the Nursery by completing our application form (click here) and returning it by email to Mrs Daglish and Mrs Crinson at sunshine@stoswaldsdurham.net. You may also print and return the form the school office or by post (please see our ‘contact us’ page).  You will receive confirmation that your application has been received (please allow up to 14 days for this).  The application form will be held on our waiting list and you will be informed when a place is available.  A 3-year-old 15 hours place will be confirmed subject to proof of your child’s age being provided to the school office prior to the start date.  A 30 hours place will be confirmed subject to proof of your child’s age AND proof of parental eligibility (HMRC code) being provided to the school office through a fully completed eligibility checking form prior to the start of term.  This form is provided to parents when an offer of a place is made.  30 funded hours places are also subject to eligibility criteria continuing to be met during your child’s time in our nursery setting.

Additional Charges

We make a small charge for breakfast food and tea food when funded entitlement hours are used for breakfast club and/or after-school club. This is £1.05 (breakfast) and £1.60 (tea). We offer a two course lunch and this is charged by the school caterer at £3.70. Parents can opt to send a packed lunch instead. Any hours outside of the funded entitlement and/or during school holidays are chargeable but it is optional to take up these sessions.

Nursery Admission Criteria 2026-2027

Please refer to our Nursery Admissions Policy.

Contact Us

Please contact Mrs Daglish and Mrs Crinson via sunhine@stoswaldsdurham.net if you have any questions about nursery places at St Oswald’s.  You may also phone the school office on 0191-386-8029.

Completed application forms should be emailed to Mrs Daglish and Mrs Crinson via sunshine@stoswaldsdurham.net