Toucan Education

In June 2026, a movement room, a ball pool and learning shaped around individual needs gave Toucan Education a different character from a conventional nursery. This Hexham Road setting in Swalwell has capacity for 40 children. Its June 2026 provision supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including children attending alongside school.

At its June 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged all six areas Strong standard, covering achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare, teaching, inclusion and leadership, with substantial progress towards children's individual goals. The children attending that month were aged 4 to 16. This is a specialist setting whose nursery profile needs to be read in that wider context.

In June 2026, learning concentrated on communication, physical development and emotional and social skills. The EYFS provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, activities were adapted around individual developmental needs and interests.

The movement room supported physical targets, while the ball pool gave some children opportunities to build core strength. Children practised running and jumping and also had fresh air and exercise in the garden. These spaces allowed movement to sit alongside quieter group activities.

Language practice was woven into play. In June 2026, staff expanded children's phrases and repeated useful wording during games with plastic bees. Matching-card games gave children practice in concentrating alongside others. Short carpet gatherings followed by shared activities provided a predictable sequence, with adult help for taking turns and coping with losing a game.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that safeguarding standards were met, with responsibilities understood and concerns recognised and addressed.

In June 2026, staff gathered detailed information from families about children's needs before attendance began. Personal visual timetables helped children separate from parents and understand the routine. Familiar toys could accompany group activities, giving children a practical source of comfort.

Support also addressed sensory experiences around food: children could move away from overwhelming smells, and staff adapted their response to individual needs. Lunchtimes involved packed lunches, with dietary and food-safety information shared with parents.

School coordination was central in June 2026. Staff exchanged targets with schools children also attended and adjusted them together. Education, health and social-care professionals contributed to planning; parents received updates on development and help accessing additional support. Some children used meditation or yoga to help them participate in curriculum activities. Training addressed communication and trauma, connecting staff development to the children attending.

Toucan Education's address is Hexham Road, Swalwell, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 3BN.

In June 2026, opening hours were 9.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Children attended part-time for up to 17 hours each week. Some used Toucan Education as their sole education provision; others combined it with another setting or attended through their mainstream offer. That distinction matters when planning how support fits into a child's wider week.

• Fit across ages. Children attending in June 2026 were aged 4 to 16 and all had diagnosed SEND. Consider how this specialist, mixed-age context matches your child's developmental needs.
• Attendance planning. June 2026 attendance was part-time, sometimes alongside school. What attendance arrangement would fit your child's existing education and support?
• School coordination. The June 2026 next step was to keep developing detailed information exchange with linked schools. Shared targets deserve attention when judging how provision will connect across settings.

Toucan Education suits families considering specialist, part-time support, either as a child's education provision or alongside school. Its June 2026 strengths lay in individual learning targets, practical adaptations and coordination with families and professionals. In June 2026, the movement room and communication work gave that approach concrete shape; the next step was continued detailed collaboration with linked schools.