Big Hands Little Hands Nursery School

A purpose-built pirate ship, a calm Sensory Room and a shared Dining Hall give Big Hands Little Hands Nursery School a clear identity: play, quieter time and meals each have their own space. Based at Prospect Business Park in Leadgate, Consett, it cares for children from birth to four. The physical offer is substantial, but the detail of how adults support play matters just as much.

On 25 July 2023, the nursery was rated Good and safeguarding was judged effective. That dated judgement sits alongside specific strengths and two practical improvement points, both concerning the youngest children: adult involvement in independent play and consistency over dummies. Families choosing the baby room should give those questions proper attention.

Dreamers, Adventurers and Inventors divide the nursery by age, while the outdoor space and shared facilities connect the rooms. Attendance includes private day care and term-time funded arrangements, with breakfast and after-nursery sessions for preschool children. The useful distinction is between the nursery's year-round operation and its term-time funding model.

Rooms and Ages

Dreamers accommodates children from birth to two, with space for early movement, messy play and a designated sleeping area, separating exploration from rest.

For two- to three-year-olds, Adventurers combines activities chosen by children with those led by adults, using play to develop the primary areas of EYFS, the framework for early learning and care. In parent language, learning happens through conversation, movement, relationships and hands-on exploration rather than only through a planned adult activity.

Inventors serves three- to four-year-olds; staff build learning around individual interests while preparing children for primary school.

All rooms use the Sensory Room, outdoor area and Dining Hall, giving every age group access to quieter space and outdoor play.

Learning and Activities

Children choose resources and join adult-led activities including yoga, cooking, construction, puppets, music and make-believe. The curriculum follows their interests, linking their choices with how adults extend the play.

In July 2023, older children used a pretend ice cream parlour to practise writing signs and orders, explain a menu and handle payment in their play. Younger children explored flour and water, while two-year-olds worked on using scissors. These examples show what learning through play looked like at that visit: everyday materials and imagined situations became opportunities to practise communication, coordination and early writing.

In July 2023, baby-room staff sometimes missed opportunities to respond to children's interests and extend their play. Adult interaction deserves equal weight alongside Dreamers' space and materials.

Outdoor and Community Life

The outdoor area contains a large purpose-built pirate ship, a mud kitchen, a sand pit and water activities. Children can use these spaces for imaginative play and exploring materials.

In July 2023, children balanced and climbed outside, grew vegetables and examined insects on plants. That gives a dated picture of the space in use, with movement and exploration happening alongside growing. The nursery also works with Glenroyd House, adding a named community connection to its offer.

Relationships and Communication

SEN arrangements include daily handovers, progress discussions and contact with the SENCO, key worker or room leader. Families have everyday contact alongside fuller discussions and reviews as needs change.

Shorter initial sessions can support children with social or emotional needs as they become comfortable in the setting. Feelings are also discussed during daily circle time. This connects settling with the ordinary nursery day: children have opportunities to express how they feel, while adults adapt their approach to individual needs.

In July 2023, circle-time groups had been reduced to give quieter children more opportunity to contribute. Adults also allowed time for children to formulate answers to questions. Those details matter more than a broad claim about confidence because they describe changes to how children could take part.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children with SEND made very good progress through tailored support, curriculum adaptations and cooperation between staff, parents and other professionals. Current support arrangements include a SENCO role, reviews of individual plans and liaison with external professionals where needed. The mechanism is clear: identify a child's needs, adjust resources or activities, and review how the support is working.

In July 2023, dummy use in the baby room needed a more consistent approach to support speech development. This was a specific improvement point, separate from the broader communication work. In July 2023, children cleaned their teeth after lunch, received help managing shoes and outdoor clothing, and used the sensory room for sleep.

Meals are cooked on site, with a seasonal menu rotating over three weeks; the nursery's catering arrangements allow for special diets and allergies. Children eat alongside staff in the Dining Hall, and older children can help lay the tables, making meals an opportunity to practise conversation and responsibility.

Staff roles include room leaders, SENCOs and a nursery cook. The team undertakes training in first aid, safeguarding and EYFS. These arrangements describe the organisation of care; the dated inspection judgement remains the basis for assessing safeguarding effectiveness.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Centre Block, Prospect Business Park, Consett, DH8 7PW. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with a closure between Christmas and New Year; the nursery also closes on bank holidays. Its year-round operation allows private attendance outside school terms, while funded attendance follows a different calendar.

Private nursery care is sold by the day. For children aged nine months to three years, the funded arrangement is term-time only: 30 hours across three days, using either 7.30am to 5.30pm or 8am to 6pm sessions.

For three- to four-year-olds, the term-time preschool funding arrangement is 30 hours, running from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Breakfast club runs from 7.30am to 9am, and after-nursery club from 3pm to 6pm. These sessions extend the preschool day, but are charged separately from the funded arrangement.

Enquiries use telephone, email or contact form; tour appointments can be booked by phone or form.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funding covers nine months to four years during term time; the child's age determines both room and funded timetable.

Food is charged separately from private nursery day fees: breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks have separate charges. For the younger funded arrangement, these food items are also charged separately; preschool funded attendance has a separate lunch charge, with breakfast and tea charges attached to the additional sessions.

A voluntary enhanced provision fee accompanies the younger funded arrangement. Its voluntary status matters when comparing the cost of an attendance pattern. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation, and the funding and charges page sets out the distinction between private care, funded attendance and additional sessions.

School preparation belongs to Inventors' day. In July 2023, links with local schools supported children's transitions. This is preparation for the next stage, rather than a reason to assume a particular school destination.

• Dreamers' adult interaction. In July 2023, staff needed to extend babies' independent play more consistently. During a visit, ask how practitioners now recognise an emerging interest and join the play while allowing the child to explore.
• Dummy use and communication. The July 2023 improvement point concerned inconsistent messages about dummies in the baby room. Discuss how the current approach fits your child's routines and opportunities to talk.
• Different funded timetables. Younger children's funded attendance uses three longer days, while preschool funding runs across weekday 9am to 3pm sessions. Consider which pattern fits your working week, including separately charged food and additional sessions.
• Food and individual needs. On-site cooking supports dietary adaptations. Families managing allergies should confirm current kitchen practice, and parents of babies should ask what they need to supply for daily personal care.

Big Hands Little Hands suits families looking for age-specific rooms, substantial outdoor play and access to a separate quieter space. Its attendance patterns include private full days, term-time preschool places and extended days under the younger children's three-day funded arrangement.

The July 2023 Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, with clear practical strengths beneath it. For babies, the deciding conversation should concern responsive adult involvement and dummy routines. For older children, interest-led learning, shared meals and preparation for primary school give the nursery a clear direction.