Shooting Stars Childcare, Wallsend

A climbing frame, noisy experiments with buckets and early writing through play give Shooting Stars Childcare, Wallsend its character in the April 2023 account. Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 11 April 2023. The strongest practical thread is independence: children chose resources, helped put toys away and practised doing things for themselves.

At 92 Station Road, Wallsend, NE28 6TD, the nursery has 90 places in total. Children attending in April 2023 were aged from birth to four; that age range describes the children at that visit.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and everyday routines all contribute to learning.

In April 2023, babies explored sound by striking metal buckets with a wooden spoon. Toddlers and preschool children worked their hands through dough while moving to music, building the small-muscle control needed for writing. The climbing frame gave children opportunities to practise coordination, while independently accessible resources let them make choices.

Literacy also took different forms in April 2023. Younger children experimented with marks in sand; older children anticipated events in stories and clapped the syllables of their names. Number recognition and counting were part of activities, although older children needed more opportunities to work out simple mathematical problems independently.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that the manager and special educational needs coordinator worked effectively with families and other professionals to arrange developmental support, helping children make good progress.

In April 2023, familiar toys and stories helped reassure children who needed extra comfort. Parents knew their child's key person and used an online system to exchange information and contribute ideas. This gave families a way to take part in their child's nursery experience.

Healthy meals and snacks were provided in April 2023, with younger children practising cutlery skills and older children pouring drinks. Staff stayed alongside children at meals and during sleep, and handwashing formed part of daily routines.

The address is 92 Station Road, Wallsend, NE28 6TD. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with an all-year opening schedule.

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

• Conversation and thinking. In April 2023, some questioning did not extend children's speech or thinking sufficiently. On a visit, ask how practitioners now build longer conversations during play.
• Independent problem-solving. Older children needed more chances to solve simple mathematical problems themselves in April 2023. Look for activities that let children test an answer before an adult supplies it.

Shooting Stars suits families who value practical learning and growing independence, with an all-year opening schedule that may fit working routines. Its April 2023 account gives concrete examples of children making choices, developing physical skills and participating in everyday tasks. The balance is clear: a Good judgement, alongside specific improvements needed in extended conversation and independent mathematical thinking.