Little Treasures Day Nursery

Books, conversation and imaginative construction play shaped children's experiences at Little Treasures Day Nursery's February 2025 inspection. Based at Belle Vue Community Sports & Youth Centre in Hartlepool, it has capacity for 30 children aged 3 months to 5 years. That is the whole nursery's capacity, rather than the size of an individual group.

At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The practical strengths were accessible play resources and opportunities for children to develop independence; the improvement points concerned interruptions to learning and how staff established children's starting points.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its inspection-time examples included storytelling, construction and outdoor play. These activities connected language, movement and problem-solving.

In February 2025, children explored books with adults who discussed illustrations, introduced vocabulary and allowed time for answers. In the construction area, building with large bricks became an experiment in balance, then an imaginative game involving lava. Children could reach resources themselves, giving them choices about their play.

Garden activities that month included matching coloured beanbags to hoops. This combined movement with recognising colours and comparing sizes. Children's artwork also filled display boards, making their achievements part of the room environment.

At the February 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children with SEND received effective support through work with parents and professionals, with additional funding helping their learning and progress.

In February 2025, staff patiently helped children manage feelings, share and negotiate with one another. Adults encouraged children to fasten their own coats before outdoor play, linking everyday care with independence and preparation for school.

Meals were nutritious at that visit, and staff supported handwashing and toilet hygiene. Older children could help themselves to drinks at the Hydration Station. Communication with parents was open, although information gathered when children joined did not consistently establish their existing skills.

The address is Belle Vue Community Sports & Youth Centre, Kendal Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1QU. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In February 2025, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Protecting outdoor play. In February 2025, nappy changes sometimes interrupted play shortly after children went outside. Ask how care routines now fit around sustained play.
• Starting-point information. The February 2025 improvement action called for fuller information about children's existing abilities when they joined. Discuss how your child's skills and interests will inform their first learning plans.
• Attendance pattern. The weekday opening window extends from early morning into the evening. Which booking pattern would fit your family's working week?

Little Treasures suits families seeking weekday childcare across the year, with an inspection-time emphasis on conversation, independent choices and learning through play. Its February 2025 assessment gives a positive quality judgement, balanced by two practical questions: how daily routines protect learning and how staff understand each child's starting point.