2nd Home Childcare, Chowdene

Sensory play with spaghetti, stories shared with familiar adults and outdoor ride-on toys give Chowdene's September 2025 nursery day its character. At its 24 September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and judged safeguarding effective.

Based at Chowdene Family Hub in Gateshead, the nursery has 37 places in total and accepts children aged 0 to 60 months. Relationships and opportunities to explore were central to the inspection picture, alongside two practical areas for improvement: independence for newcomers and greater consistency in teaching.

In September 2025, children began with welcome songs before choosing their own play. Water play involved containers and sequins, while cutting activities gave children practice using their hands precisely. Outside, open spaces accommodated ride-on toys. These were different ways to explore materials, practise movement and make choices.

The baby room combined sensory exploration with stories alongside familiar adults. Spaghetti provided one hands-on experience. Group singing was kept brief, with staff switching to free play when children's attention began to drift, rather than prolonging the activity.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2025 examples included play, conversation, practical tasks and learning to take turns. Some practitioners were more confident than others at extending children's ideas, making the depth of those conversations an important improvement point.

In September 2025, a key-person system connected children and families with familiar staff, and babies sought those adults for comfort. Parents received updates and advice for continuing learning at home, giving them a practical connection with the nursery day.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities through assessment, planning and work with other professionals, helping them make good progress from their starting points.

Self-care was another part of the day: children helped themselves at snack time and practised doing tasks independently. Younger children and newcomers sometimes received adult help too quickly, reducing their chance to try. For children approaching school, staff shared progress information and supported school visits in September 2025.

The address is Chowdene Family Hub, Waverley Road, Gateshead, NE9 7TU. Opening hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In September 2025, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That dated participation is useful context for families considering funded childcare.

• Independence for newcomers. In September 2025, adults sometimes stepped in too soon with younger or newly settled children. Families should look for opportunities for their child to attempt manageable tasks themselves.
• Consistency in teaching. September 2025 practice varied in how confidently staff extended children's thinking. The improvement priority was to spread the stronger approaches across the team.
• Attendance arrangements. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 5.30pm. Which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family's week?

Chowdene suits families seeking care for babies and young children, with a weekday opening window extending from early morning into late afternoon. Its September 2025 picture combines familiar adults, sensory exploration and practical preparation for school. The decision points are concrete: how newcomers gain independence and how consistently staff develop children's ideas.