New Beginnings, Moorside

A preschool nursery council, countryside wellie walks and apples picked by children give New Beginnings, Moorside a character rooted in participation. These were features of nursery life in October 2022, with children contributing ideas as well as exploring their surroundings.

The nursery has 32 places for children aged 3 to 60 months, at Moorside Childrens Centre in Consett. At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. The strongest practical thread in that account was children learning by doing, although younger children's communication and independence needed more attention.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines become opportunities to practise communication, movement and personal skills.

In October 2022, babies posted balls through tubes, while toddlers squeezed pipettes and hammered pegs into pumpkins. Older children manipulated screws and moved pom-poms with tweezers. These small, purposeful actions gave children practice using their hands ahead of writing.

Outdoor exploration had substance. In October 2022, children grew herbs, collected apples and built insect houses; the mud kitchen brought fresh herbs into mixing and pouring activities. Countryside wellie walks and bus journeys to the library extended experiences beyond the nursery. The nursery council gave preschool children a way to put forward suggestions about their day.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that babies had close relationships with their key persons, staff worked effectively with parents, and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received strong support. A special educational needs coordinator collaborated with professionals and helped staff put additional strategies into practice.

In October 2022, daily exchanges kept parents informed about learning and development. Families could also join activities such as den building during come and see sessions, giving them a practical connection with children's experiences.

School preparation included everyday responsibility. In October 2022, older children prepared tables, cut fruit and practised dressing themselves. Younger children sometimes had tasks done for them instead, reducing their opportunities to try independently.

The address is Moorside Childrens Centre, Chester Road, Moorside, Consett, DH8 8EQ. Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In October 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a particular funded attendance arrangement.

• Younger children's development. The October 2022 improvement priorities concerned communication and opportunities for independent self-care. At a visit, ask how staff now support babies' communication and give toddlers time to attempt dressing and other everyday tasks.
• Participation and practical learning. In October 2022, preschool children contributed through the nursery council and took responsibility at mealtimes. This emphasis suits families who value children having a voice and practising useful daily skills.

New Beginnings, Moorside suits families who value practical play, outdoor exploration and children taking an active part in nursery life. Its October 2022 experiences offer concrete reasons for interest, from countryside outings to preschool decision-making. The balance is clear: older children's independence was well represented, while support for younger children's communication and self-care was the important development priority.