Cheeky Monkees Day Nursery

In June 2024, a restored staircase displayed children's books, connecting Cheeky Monkees Day Nursery to its building's former life as a library. In June 2024, stories also shaped activities across the rooms, bringing the literary theme into children's learning.

At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, finding effective safeguarding, good progress and successful support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The nursery is on Bedale Avenue in Billingham, TS23 1BL, and accepts children from birth to five.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. In June 2024, children explored stories, investigated textures and foods, and practised making marks: learning involved listening, handling materials and trying movements for themselves.

In June 2024, Book of the Month used Dear Zoo to develop children's skills across the rooms. This gave different ages a shared story, with activities adapted as their learning developed.

Sensory exploration was another thread that month. Babies investigated oats with their hands, while very young children experimented with the sound of a paintbrush against a mirror. Two-year-olds explored broccoli and lemons and practised cutting food with staff support. Older children mixed potions and experimented with liquids. These were concrete opportunities to investigate materials and try actions for themselves.

Community experiences extended beyond the building. In June 2024, children's photographs included a visit to a local care home to deliver Christmas cards; outings also involved local shops. The emphasis was on taking part in the surrounding community.

In June 2024, younger children sought cuddles from staff when tired, and babies accepted being picked up and comforted. Clear reminders helped children understand expectations such as walking indoors, while encouragement supported concentration and perseverance.

The same month's school-transition work included inviting school staff into nursery and accompanying children on school visits. Some children were collected after a morning at school nursery to spend the afternoon here. However, information about extra learning support at school was not shared consistently, leaving continuity between settings as an improvement priority.

The address is Bedale Avenue, Billingham, TS23 1BL. In June 2024, the nursery operated throughout the year on weekdays, closing for bank holidays; its session window ran from 7am to 6pm. These are inspection-time arrangements.

At that time, funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Early writing. In June 2024, staff sometimes missed opportunities to give children enough room for the arm movements involved in developing pencil control. Ask how writing activities now support this development.
• Care across settings. The June 2024 improvement priority concerned sharing learning information, especially where children received extra help at school. Families combining nursery and school attendance should discuss how that information follows their child.
• Planning attendance. On a visit, ask which attendance patterns and funded arrangements would fit your child's age and your working week.

Cheeky Monkees suits families who value stories, practical exploration and contact with the local community. Its June 2024 picture combines affectionate staff relationships with activities children could investigate directly. Early writing and communication between settings deserve attention alongside those strengths.