We offer a range of different sessions and services for the children and families in our community. If you would like more information, please contact the school office where you can arrange a visit to have a look around the school. (Non-Covid restrictions).
Early Learners – 2 Year Olds
Early Learners provides sessional care, tailored for 2–3-year-olds as a first step towards independence. Through caring and supportive staff, parents develop trusting relationships enabling them to feel happy and comfortable when leaving their child, possibly for the first time.
We have both paying and government funded places. If you think you are eligible for a funded place, please visit Durham County Council Parent Portal to apply online. You may receive a ‘Golden Ticket’ along with a letter from the Local Authority. Please bring this to the nursery as confirmation of your child’s funding eligibility.
Children who are eligible for a funded place are able to have 5 sessions a week.
Paid sessions are available for children who are not eligible for a funded place. These sessions are £10 or £15 each (2 hours or 3 hours) and a minimum of 2 per week is required.
Every child is unique, and their individual needs are catered for allowing them to flourish and grow.
Our children:
- feel happy and safe
- are cared for in an exciting, stimulating environment with enthusiastic and experienced staff
- have a designated key worker
- develop self-help skills, independence and mostly .. have FUN!
Early Learners operate from a new building within the grounds of Seaham Harbour Nursery School. It has a separate entrance to the main nursery building and specially designed indoor and outdoor areas for free-flowing play, meeting the needs of 2–3-year-olds.
Light Bites – for Early Learners
Light Bites is available to all Early Learners, as the 3rd hour of each session, from 11.00 to 12.00 and 2.45 to 3.45. This allows parents to extend either morning or afternoon sessions. Children receive a healthy two course meal, which is prepared daily on the premises.
Children who are funded through the government 2 year play and learn, automatically stay for Light Bites each day.
Staff encourage children to develop:
- social skills
- good meal time routines
- self help skills
- good manners
- and try a variety of different foods!
The Light Bite hour costs £5.00 per day and need to be booked and paid for in advance.
Menus are carefully planned, reviewed and changed according to children’s preferences and dietary needs. Menus rotate on a four-weekly basis.
Nursery – 3 & 4 Year Olds
We offer all 3–4-year-old children a
free 15 hour funded education place,
either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons a week (8.45-11.45 or 12.30-3.30). Where parents are eligible, we offer the additional 15 hours to make a 30-hour extended place.
30 Hour Extended Place
We offer 30 hour extended places for working parents (5 days per week 9.45-3.30, term time only). If you think you are eligible, please apply through Childcare Choices and contact the school office with your code.
Early Drop Off – for Nursery Children
Early Drop Off is available to all nursery aged children, who attend on a morning. It operates from 8.15 – 8.45 each day, allowing parents to extend the morning session. Children have access to additional activities within the nursery building.
Early Drop Off costs £2.00 per day and needs to be booked and paid for in advance.