Backworth Childcare

Books, box-built fire engines and growing independence give Backworth Childcare its character in the January 2022 account of daily life. At its 17 January 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, made good progress.

Based at Backworth Village Hall, the nursery has capacity for 30 children aged 0 to 60 months. The dated picture is of children comfortable with familiar adults, alongside clear improvements needed in how staff challenge their thinking.

In January 2022, children explored coloured shaving foam and built fire engines from boxes, paint and tape. Materials supported sensory exploration and making things, while accessible resources let children choose their activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: the day combines learning experiences with support for everyday development. In January 2022, stories were a recurring part of that day, with pauses for children to recall phrases and discuss illustrations. Books became an opportunity to join in, rather than simply listen.

The January 2022 teaching weaknesses matter too. Adults sometimes intervened before children could solve a problem themselves, and some materials did not suit the intended task. Blunt knives made cutting apples difficult; children also needed clearer instruction about handling knives safely.

In January 2022, children formed close relationships with their key persons, and settling arrangements helped newcomers become comfortable. Staff encouraged children to manage their own coats and shoes and participate in putting resources away. These small routines gave children practical opportunities to act independently.

Communication also had substance in January 2022: staff discussed children's days with parents, held a parents' evening and shared ideas for learning at home. Assessments helped identify developmental gaps, while information-sharing with professionals and other settings supported coordinated planning for individual children.

The address is Backworth Village Hall, Church Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE27 0JE. Opening hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year.

In January 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That dated participation is separate from the present age range and total capacity.

• Thinking independently. In January 2022, adults sometimes stepped in too quickly. During a visit, ask how practitioners now give children time to attempt tasks and solve problems themselves.
• Suitable resources and safe handling. The January 2022 apple-cutting activity exposed weaknesses in both equipment choice and safety teaching. Ask how staff select tools and explain their safe use.

Backworth Childcare suits families who value familiar adult relationships, shared stories and practical independence. Its January 2022 strengths were concrete: key-person relationships, settling support and communication with parents. The teaching reservations were equally specific. A visit should test how opportunities for independent thinking and suitable, safely used equipment have developed since that dated assessment.