2nd Home Childcare, Barley Mow

A hilly garden, children checking outdoor hazards with clipboards, and a lending library give Barley Mow a recognisable character. In September 2025, these experiences connected physical challenge, responsibility and reading at home with the nursery day.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 30 September 2025 and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. Based at The Birtley Centre on Pembroke Avenue in Chester Le Street (DH3 2DJ), it has 45 places in total and accepts children from birth to 60 months.

In September 2025, learning followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines helped children practise language, movement and independence. Younger children tried dressing themselves, while older children served their own lunch. Those ordinary tasks gave children opportunities to do more for themselves.

Language received close attention that month. Adults paired gestures with speech for babies, introduced vocabulary through play and encouraged children to predict what might happen next. Story sessions and a lending library connected reading at nursery with shared books at home.

The outdoor area offered slopes, crates and tyres for balancing in September 2025, with energetic play continuing in different weather. A seasonal interest led to making perfume with natural materials and practising scissor skills. Mark-making developed from babies exploring sand to older children drawing with finer pencils.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that familiar adults built secure relationships and tailored settling support for new starters and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The practical strength was continuity: children could turn to adults who knew them.

In September 2025, observations, assessments and the two-year progress check helped staff identify children's next learning steps. Face-to-face conversations kept parents involved. Staff supervision and targeted training supported consistency across the team.

Health habits also featured that month: children practised handwashing and brushed oversized toy teeth. Nutritious meals and ready access to drinking water supported the daily routine.

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. In September 2025, its session window ran from 7.30am until 5.30pm, and it received funding for eligible children's early education.

• Older children's group times. In September 2025, changes into planned group activities sometimes left children unsettled because emotional support was not timely or consistent. Ask how staff now organise these moments.
• Choosing attendance. The weekday opening window spans 7.30am to 5.30pm. At a visit, ask which booking pattern would fit your family's routine and how funded hours and additional charges would apply.

Barley Mow suits families seeking weekday childcare with an emphasis on practical independence, language and active outdoor play. In September 2025, learning extended into everyday tasks: serving lunch, putting on coats and checking the garden for hazards gave children practical responsibilities. The transition into older children's group activities is the clear point to examine when judging whether the daily rhythm will suit your child.