Seaham Kindergarten

Ice-cream scooping, homemade dominoes and repeated attempts to get slime right give Seaham Kindergarten a recognisable character: everyday play becomes a chance to practise something specific. These were June 2023 experiences, with children's interests shaping the activities adults developed.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, finding ambitious learning, rapid progress across the areas of development and carefully organised support for children with additional needs. The setting has 90 places in total. Children attending in June 2023 ranged from birth to eight years; that is a dated picture of attendance.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing these strands together in their nursery day. In June 2023, activities connected practical exploration with language, counting and physical skills.

Younger children scooped ice cream and added sprinkles during shop role play, practising coordination through a task that needed concentration. An interest in numbers led to domino games, then children created their own versions to use at home. Counting and sorting soft balls gave them another way to explore numbers.

Older children tackled a different challenge that June: unsuccessful slime mixtures. They identified too much water as the problem and tried again. They also watched a video and measured ingredients. The value lay in the process. Trying again made problem-solving part of the activity rather than something an adult completed for them.

Movement also featured in June 2023. Younger children practised taking turns and balancing on a beam, while older children climbed and jumped outdoors.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and a strong key-person system supporting children's relationships with adults. Individual arrangements helped children move between rooms, giving emotional preparation a place alongside their learning.

In June 2023, families received development updates through an electronic app and spoke with staff each day. Parent play sessions also let them spend time in their child's room, adding a shared experience to the exchange of information.

Personal care carried a respectful tone that June: staff asked children whether they were ready for a nappy change. Stories and conversations supported communication, and children ate nutritious meals and snacks. Staff, children and families contributed to evaluating the provision, so feedback extended beyond routine updates.

The address is Convent Of Mercy, 1 Antrim Gardens, Seaham SR7 7BN.

In June 2023, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation. At that time, the nursery provided early education for children aged two, three and four, including children receiving early years pupil premium funding. These arrangements belong to that inspection period.

• Attendance planning. The June 2023 opening window covered weekdays throughout the year. What current ages, booking patterns and funded-hour terms would apply to your child?
• Room changes. Individual transition arrangements were a feature in June 2023. On a visit, discuss how a move between rooms would be paced for your child.
• Parent involvement. June 2023 communication combined app updates, daily conversations and play sessions for families. Consider how that combination fits the way you want to participate in your child's nursery life.

Seaham Kindergarten suits parents who value practical, interest-led learning and close communication with staff. Its strongest dated examples are small but telling: children making their own counting games, reconsidering a failed mixture and receiving individual preparation for room changes. The Outstanding judgement belongs to June 2023; those examples explain the substance behind it.