Green Tree Childcare

Books, conversation and garden play shaped children's experiences at Green Tree Childcare in June 2023. At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, while identifying staff coaching and clearer learning intentions in planned activities as priorities for improvement.

The nursery on Fergusons Lane in Newcastle Upon Tyne has capacity for 36 children, with an age range of two months to five years. Full-day care is offered. In June 2023, children chose books independently and parents joined stay-and-play sessions.

In June 2023, storytelling involved expressive reading, pictures and pauses that encouraged children to predict what happened next. Children also selected books independently. This gave them opportunities both to join a shared conversation and to explore a story for themselves.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In June 2023, activities brought these together through play: toddlers practised sharing during water play, while preschool children worked together on an alphabet jigsaw, matching pieces through their initial sounds.

Garden play in June 2023 included ride-on toys, a ramp and a tunnel. Babies practised crawling and pulling themselves upright at a fence; resources placed just beyond their reach encouraged movement. These were concrete opportunities to practise physical skills at different stages of development.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described individual support plans for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, alongside staff who understood children's needs and offered comfort when they were upset.

In June 2023, familiar songs helped soothe children, while clear behavioural expectations and praise supported a calm day. Staff repeated sounds, demonstrated words and involved older children in conversation. A sign of the week was shared with parents, giving families a practical way to continue communication work at home.

Daily updates in June 2023 combined conversations with an online application. Stay-and-play sessions let parents observe their children taking part in nursery life. Together, these offered more than a brief account of the day's activities: parents could see the setting in use and discuss their child's experience.

Green Tree Childcare's address is Fergusons Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 7PL. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In June 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded place now.

• Purposeful activities. In June 2023, staff were sometimes uncertain about the intended learning in activities. Ask how practitioners now plan and adapt those experiences for individual children.
• Staff development. Coaching, mentoring and putting action plans into practice were June 2023 improvement priorities. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how those changes have shaped daily care.

Green Tree Childcare suits families seeking full-day childcare across the year. Its June 2023 picture combines books, communication and active garden play with practical parent involvement. The balance matters: engaging examples of nursery life sit alongside clear priorities for strengthening activity planning and staff development.