Cubs & Kits Daycare Nursery and Preschool Berwick

In November 2021, babies sought comfort from staff and older children practised everyday independence, alongside two important questions about children's opportunities to speak and direct their own play. At its 5 November 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated Cubs & Kits Daycare Nursery and Preschool Berwick Good and found safeguarding effective.

The nursery has capacity for 37 children, with an accepted age range of 6 to 60 months. Its address is Ladywell Place, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2AE. A later regulatory finding about notifications deserves attention alongside the inspection judgement.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In everyday language, that means supporting learning alongside children's practical and emotional needs.

In November 2021, preschool children explored shapes and colours as well as letters and numbers in activities organised by adults. A puppet helped hold their attention, while musical instruments signalled changes in movement. Older children practised balance and coordination on scooters and tricycles. These examples connect learning with movement and familiar play resources.

There was a limit to the adult direction, however: preschool children had too little scope to choose how their play developed. Some depended on adults rather than playing confidently by themselves or with other children. The improvement priority was greater independence, rather than simply more organised activities.

In November 2021, babies sought comfort on practitioners' laps, and staff helped younger children with practical exploration, including steadying a bottle as rice was poured into it. Staff also supported everyday self-care: older children practised fastening clothing and putting coats on.

Communication needed more space. Adults sometimes moved on before younger children could consider a question and respond; extended dummy use also reduced babies' chances to practise speech. Both points matter because listening to language and having time to use it are different experiences.

Parents received detailed feedback in November 2021, and staff discussed children's development frequently. Individual learning plans addressed children's next steps, including additional support needs and confidence following disrupted nursery attendance during the pandemic.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. This provides a useful practical starting point for families arranging regular childcare.

In November 2021, funded early education supported attendance for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of the funding offer, rather than a statement of current entitlement terms.

• Regulatory notifications. In its compliance outcome dated 27 June 2024, Ofsted reported late notification of a concern and failures to notify serious child illness involving hospitalisation, although appropriate action had been taken following the initial concern. This is the latest published regulatory position; families should discuss notification procedures with the nursery.
• Independence and speech. The November 2021 improvement priorities concerned preschool children directing their play and younger children having more opportunities to speak. During a visit, look for time to answer questions and opportunities to choose activities.
• Attendance and charges. With opening hours spanning 8am to 6pm, what booking patterns and current funded-hours terms would apply to your child, including meals and consumables?

Cubs & Kits suits families seeking childcare across the year, with a weekday opening window that accommodates working routines. Its November 2021 account combines close adult relationships with practical learning experiences. The decision should also give proper weight to the later notification finding and to how independence and speaking opportunities work in practice now.