Whitley Lodge Under Fives

A purpose-built classroom, outdoor play space and a close connection with Whitley Lodge First School give Whitley Lodge Under Fives its character. This Whitley Bay playgroup accepts children from their second birthday and has 18 places in total. Its scale and school-site setting make it a practical option for families seeking an early preschool experience.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good and found safeguarding effective. The detail behind that judgement matters: children were developing independence, using language in conversation and tackling physical challenges outdoors. Those observations describe May 2023 rather than the current day.

The current preschool pattern is term-time morning sessions, with an admissions policy that also allows afternoon sessions once mornings have been filled, if there is sufficient interest. Funded and privately paid attendance are both supported.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS sets out children's learning, development and care: communication, physical development and learning through play sit alongside everyday care routines. Here, the classroom and outdoor play space provide the physical setting for that work.

In May 2023, language learning included introducing unfamiliar vocabulary and giving children topics to discuss. Paint mixing prompted conversations about colour, while spray bottles and brushes offered different ways to make marks. These were concrete opportunities to connect words with actions, rather than learning vocabulary in isolation.

The Colour Monster, a book used to explore emotions through colour, also featured in May 2023. Children discussed feelings together, giving them a way to recognise and talk about their emotional responses. The wake up, shake up movement session sat alongside making dough and buttering bread, combining larger movements with smaller hand actions.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified a need for planned activities to keep their intended learning clearer and more consistent. This is the substantive qualification to the Good judgement: an appealing activity needs a clear learning purpose as well as children's participation.

Outdoor and Community Life

In May 2023, the garden included equipment for jumping and large pillars for balancing. Children tried physical challenges and practised judging what they could manage. Cutting materials for crowns and bunting offered a different sort of challenge indoors, with staff helping children position scissors.

Current outings procedures usually link visits to curriculum themes and invite parents to accompany larger group trips. Families receive outing details and give consent beforehand. This makes outings part of the learning plan, with a defined role for accompanying adults.

Relationships and Communication

Settling arrangements recognise that readiness for separation differs between children. If a child becomes distressed, parents are informed and can return to the group. Comforters are permitted while settling, although families are encouraged to avoid sending precious belongings that would be difficult to replace.

Developmental observations are recorded, and parents can access their own child's records. Photographs for the online Learning Journey require written parental consent and are taken using preschool devices. The journal can be kept when a child leaves and shared with their next setting, giving families a useful record to carry forward.

In May 2023, staff exchanged information with other settings attended by children and worked with speech and language professionals, health visitors and local authority advisers. Referrals were made promptly. That dated example shows how support extended beyond the playgroup's own staff.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The staff structure includes a SENDCo, a safeguarding lead and a deputy safeguarding role. The admissions policy allows funding to be sought for a support worker where necessary, so additional help has a practical mechanism rather than resting on a general promise of inclusion.

Five staff members are employed, and all five hold at least Level 3 qualifications. Ongoing training is encouraged. These are team facts, rather than a claim about how many adults are present with each group of children.

Children do not have to be toilet trained before attending. Staff work with parents on potty or toilet learning, offer reminders and help when needed; children still wearing nappies are changed according to a dedicated procedure. Parents supply changing essentials and spare clothes, and receive a notice when their child has been changed.

Snack preparation is shared among staff, with dietary requirements consulted. Snacks attract voluntary contributions with no fixed rate, including on funded attendance.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Whitley Lodge First School, Woodburn Drive, Whitley Bay, NE26 3HW. Preschool morning sessions run from 9am to noon, Monday to Friday, during term time. This is a short-session arrangement that families need to fit around the rest of their day.

Morning sessions are allocated first. Afternoon sessions may be offered once morning sessions have been filled, if there is enough interest, with older children directed towards mornings and children turning two later in the academic year towards afternoons. Preferred sessions cannot be guaranteed.

The waiting list follows date of birth rather than enrolment date. Priority considerations include older children, local families, children in need and children with older siblings at Whitley Lodge First School. These are admissions rules for the playgroup itself.

The setting is attached to Whitley Lodge First School, and staff escort children attending the school nursery. Attending the playgroup does not guarantee a Reception place; families still use the local authority admissions process.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funding is offered for eligible two- and three-year-olds. The funded arrangement is 15 hours per week over 38 weeks, fitting the term-time model. Tax-free childcare can also be used.

Snacks and consumables such as nappies and suncream have separate voluntary contributions without a fixed rate. Parents also provide their child's nappies, wipes, nappy sacks and spare clothing. The consumables arrangement therefore combines family-supplied essentials with voluntary contributions.

Privately paid sessions are billed each half term, and booked sessions remain chargeable during illness or holidays. Exceptional waivers for an extended absence may be considered after discussion with the Treasurer. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Short sessions and allocation. Mornings run from 9am to noon in term time, while afternoon provision depends on mornings having been filled and sufficient interest. At a visit, discuss how the allocation rules fit your child's age and your intended attendance pattern.
• Learning purpose. In May 2023, planned activities needed more consistent attention to their intended learning. Ask how staff now connect an activity with the skill they want children to develop.
• Settling and personal care. Parents can return if a child is distressed, and children wearing nappies are supported. Use a visit to discuss separation and toileting routines for your child.
• Paid-session absences. Illness and holidays do not automatically remove charges for booked private sessions. This matters when budgeting for attendance across a half term.

Whitley Lodge Under Fives suits families seeking term-time preschool mornings, and those able to use conditional afternoon sessions under its allocation policy. Its classroom, outdoor space and school-site connection give it a clear practical identity. The May 2023 Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, tempered by the specific need to sharpen the learning purpose of planned activities. Settling arrangements, personal-care procedures and access to developmental records add useful substance for parents choosing a first preschool experience.