Kelloe Phoenix Centre

Songs, storybooks and a nursery library give Kelloe Phoenix Centre’s November 2022 account a clear emphasis on language. At its 15 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found that children made good progress from their starting points.

The centre has capacity for 54 children and is based at Kelloe Community Primary School, Front Street, Kelloe, DH6 4PG. Children attending in November 2022 were aged 1 to 4; that age range describes the children at that visit.

In November 2022, babies joined songs with sounds and gestures, while toddlers explored familiar books and practised new vocabulary. Preschool children visited the nursery library regularly, listening to stories and discussing favourite authors. Books served different stages of language development rather than a single activity for everyone.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children’s learning, development and care. In November 2022, everyday play brought those strands together: filling containers with sand introduced ideas about quantity, and routines gave children opportunities to count.

Physical activity also followed children’s developmental stages that November. Younger children practised pulling themselves upright, toddlers tackled steps, and preschool children developed the hand control needed for writing. Planning drew on children’s interests and their next steps in learning.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified targeted SEND assistance, with the SENCo involving parents and other professionals in individual support plans.

In November 2022, settling sessions were adapted to individual children, and key people worked with parents to understand each child’s starting point. An electronic app let families contribute information as well as receive learning updates. This gave communication a two-way structure.

Adults helped children share resources and deal with disagreements that November. Room changes involved staff discussing children’s interests and needs; links with schools supported preparation for the next stage. At meals, adults sat and talked with children, who practised feeding themselves. However, opportunities to explain how food choices support health were sometimes missed.

In November 2022, the nursery operated Monday to Friday throughout the year, with session times of 7.30am to 6pm and after-school provision. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements describe that period.

The address is Kelloe Community Primary School, Front Street, Kelloe, DH6 4PG. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Healthy eating. In November 2022, children practised independence at meals, but explanations of the health benefits of food needed extending. This matters for families wanting eating routines to build understanding as well as practical skills.
• Staff development. In November 2022, supervision took place, but individual development goals needed greater clarity. More precise targets were an identified route to strengthening practice.
• Attendance planning. The November 2022 arrangements combined daytime sessions and after-school care. Which current booking pattern would fit your family’s week?

Kelloe Phoenix Centre merits consideration for families who value language-rich play, individual settling and parent participation. Its November 2022 account gives concrete examples of each, alongside clear improvement priorities around healthy eating and staff development. For families considering daytime nursery attendance or after-school care, that dated account provides a useful starting point for assessing fit.