Tees Valley Tots

In September 2025, dough play supported language learning, while shining star targets addressed communication, independence and social skills at Tees Valley Tots. At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children were progressing well through a carefully planned curriculum.

Based at Tees Valley Women's Centre in Middlesbrough, the nursery has capacity for 26 children. Children attending in September 2025 were aged 0 to 5; that is the age range at that visit rather than a statement of today's intake.

In September 2025, shining star targets shaped individual learning around talking, doing things independently and getting along with others. Staff watched children's play and used what they noticed to choose the next activities. The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care; here, everyday play supplied opportunities to practise language and practical skills.

Dough offered toddlers a hands-on way to learn vocabulary in September 2025. Adults named the movements children were making, connecting words with actions. Babies used soft-play equipment to practise emerging movement skills and explored fruit and jelly through touch and smell. These were concrete experiences suited to different stages of development.

Whole-group activities were less even. In September 2025, confident children readily contributed to stories, while quieter or younger children sometimes received too little help to participate. Individual learning opportunities and group participation therefore deserve separate attention.

In September 2025, familiar routines helped children settle, and staff responded gently when their mood or behaviour changed. Adults encouraged considerate speech and turn-taking, alongside practical independence such as helping to tidy. Children had daily outdoor activity, with handwashing and conversations about healthy eating woven into routines.

Communication worked in both directions in September 2025, through conversations with families and an online app. Stay-and-play sessions also brought parents into children's learning. This gave families ways to exchange information and take part, rather than relying solely on updates sent home.

Leadership needed more capacity across the setting. In September 2025, leaders' direct work with children left less time to oversee other rooms and support colleagues. Changes to food and nutrition procedures had not reached the whole team clearly, producing some uneven practice.

The address is Tees Valley Women's Centre, Upper Albion Street, Middlesbrough, TS6 6XG.

In September 2025, opening hours ran from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across 51 weeks of the year. These describe the operating window at that time, rather than individual booking sessions. Government-funded places were offered then, and the nursery also received extra funding for disadvantaged children.

• Participation in stories. Younger and quieter children sometimes received less support during group activities in September 2025. Families should weigh this alongside the stronger individual play experiences.
• Oversight across rooms. September 2025 identified a need for more leadership time to support colleagues and make procedures consistent. The food and nutrition example makes this a practical care issue as well as a management one.
• Matching care to your child. The September 2025 intake spanned babies through older preschool children. At a visit, what ages are accepted now, and which attendance arrangements would fit your child?

Tees Valley Tots suits families who value learning through ordinary play and opportunities to share in their child's nursery experience. Its September 2025 strengths lay in purposeful language activities, everyday independence and communication with parents. The balance is clear: group participation and leadership oversight needed further attention, so those details matter alongside the Good judgement.