Aldersyde Day Nursery

In November 2024, books, bubble-wrap painting and imaginary moon journeys gave Aldersyde Day Nursery a recognisable character. At its November 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged it Good, found that children progressed well from their starting points and confirmed effective safeguarding arrangements. The strongest impression is of learning built around play and familiar relationships.

Based in Hartlepool, the nursery has 75 places in total for children aged 0 to 60 months. That is whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of an individual group.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In November 2024, books connected activities across its areas of learning, while children also chose reading for pleasure, alone or with others. Stories therefore served both planned learning and children's own interests.

Sensory exploration took different forms for different ages that November: babies investigated shaving foam on an illuminated table, younger children painted bubble wrap, and toddlers washed toy animals after playing with gloop. Older children imagined rocket journeys and used domestic props in their play. These examples gave children opportunities to explore materials and develop ideas through action.

Physical activity included climbing a slide and support for crawling, standing and early steps. Staff worked on larger movements before the hand control needed for pencils and scissors. Pretend tea-making also involved counting: staff encouraged children to predict how many they would need for their friends, then count.

In November 2024, children sought familiar staff for comfort and to share achievements. Practitioners adjusted their approach to individual children, while small-group work gave children needing additional help opportunities to speak with friends and share songs. Progress checks informed the next activities planned for them.

Support extended into home life. A parent lending library and themed activity bags addressed changes such as a new sibling or first pet, giving families practical resources around experiences that could affect their child.

Language development remained an improvement point that November. Staff narrated activities and demonstrated vocabulary, but sometimes needed to leave more room for children to express themselves. Induction and training were in place; ongoing coaching needed to address staff practice more precisely.

The address is The Parade, Grange Road, Hartlepool, TS26 0DS. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and a week over Christmas and New Year.

In November 2024, the nursery offered government-funded childcare places.

• Children's own conversation. The November 2024 improvement point concerned opportunities to speak and express ideas. On a visit, ask how practitioners now make space for children's contributions during play.
• Staff coaching. More precisely targeted professional development was also required in November 2024. Ask how coaching addresses everyday interactions and learning activities.
• Matching care to your week. The opening window runs from 8am to 5.30pm. Ask which booking patterns, funded arrangements and meal or consumable terms would apply to your child.

Aldersyde's November 2024 inspection findings point to a fit for families who value books, sensory exploration and imaginative play, with practical links between nursery and home. Its November 2024 strengths sit alongside clear priorities for children's conversation and staff development. For parents planning weekday care, the opening window is a useful starting point for assessing fit.