Stanley's Daycare at Marine Park Children's Centre

Independence started with small, practical tasks here: chopping a snack, handling cutlery and learning to put on shoes. At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated Stanley's Daycare at Marine Park Children's Centre Outstanding, with everyday independence running through the learning activities.

Based in South Shields, the nursery has capacity for 20 children aged 24 to 36 months. Its current opening pattern is term time, making the holiday calendar a significant part of the childcare decision.

In November 2022, learning followed children's interests: an enthusiasm for sharks became the starting point for shared books, with children anticipating the story and joining in. Children learning English contributed key words too. That example gives parents a concrete picture of how an interest could become an opportunity to listen and speak.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, care and development. In practice, the November 2022 activities connected physical play, communication and independence: children painted at large easels and made broad movements on paper laid on the floor before moving towards smaller, more controlled marks.

Outdoor play that month included steering scooters around obstacles. Visits to supermarkets and the beach extended children's experiences beyond the nursery, while the home corner gave them opportunities to practise using cutlery. These were practical experiences with a purpose, linking movement and play to tasks children could attempt for themselves.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found exceptional support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), effective safeguarding and rapid progress for children receiving additional support, with staff drawing on health and speech and language professionals.

In November 2022, a sensory room and tactile materials helped children manage their emotions. Access to the nursery and its rooms was electronically controlled, preventing children from leaving unattended. These physical arrangements sat alongside staff meetings and training about safeguarding.

Support for parents that month reached beyond updates about learning. Staff helped with appointment-making and forms, and gave advice about dental registration, weaning and healthy eating. Families also received information about their child's development and ways to continue learning at home. For a parent managing several appointments or seeking additional help, that practical assistance mattered alongside the child's nursery day.

The address is Marine Park Childrens Centre, Flagg Court, South Shields, NE33 2LS. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays.

In November 2022, session times were 9am to midday and 1pm to 4pm. Funded early education was provided then for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Those attendance and funding details describe that period.

• School-holiday cover. The current calendar is term time, with closure during school holidays. Families needing care across the year will need to account for those breaks.
• Sensory support in practice. A sensory room and tactile resources were used in November 2022 to help children manage emotions. On a visit, ask how that support would fit your child's day and how staff would work with any professionals already involved.

Stanley's suits families seeking term-time care for children aged 24 to 36 months. Its November 2022 strengths were practical independence and support that connected children's learning with family life. The sensory resources, professional collaboration and help with everyday tasks give substance to that dated judgement.