Kids & Co

A growing area, grass for active play and space to run and climb give Kids & Co in Hanley a recognisable outdoor character. Indoors, dancing, baking and building dens sit alongside early literacy and number work. The emphasis is on children taking part, making choices and gaining independence.

At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated Kids & Co Good and found safeguarding effective. There was a clear teaching priority too: children needed more chances to practise speaking, even though staff used pictures, signing and conversation to support language.

The nursery on St John Street has capacity for 49 children, with early years care spanning babies to five-year-olds. School-age provision extends the service through the Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Club, giving families an option for continuity beyond nursery.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning and development up to age five: here, that means activities shaped around children's interests and needs, with play supporting preparation for school. Dancing, baking and den-building add practical ways to participate alongside literacy, numeracy and ICT. Activities take place both outside and indoors, so learning is not confined to a table.

In January 2025, children selected activities for themselves and invited others to join their play. Books, imaginative play and cultural experiences formed part of the day. These examples give a useful picture of participation: children had opportunities both to make their own choices and to share an activity with someone else.

Mathematical ideas were made tangible in January 2025 through toy cars and a ramp. Staff introduced words about speed and size, and corrected number mistakes as they arose. A recurring sign of the week gave children another way to revisit language. The outstanding teaching question was how often children themselves had the chance to speak, rather than only hear language modelled by adults.

Outdoor and Community Life

Three outdoor areas provide different kinds of activity: growing, play on grass and physical movement. Children can jump, climb and run, while the growing area adds another setting for exploration. For families who value outdoor activity, the useful detail is the variety of space rather than a general promise of fresh air.

In January 2025, staff gathered information about children's development, behaviour and individual needs when they joined. They adjusted activities and used smaller groups to respond to those needs. This makes the initial exchange with families important: knowledge of the child helped shape what happened during their sessions.

At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to participate alongside other children, using speech and language monitoring tools and seeking help from external professionals. Pictures and signing were among the practical tools used during that period, including visual reminders about handwashing.

Independence also featured in January 2025. When children were ready, they cut fruit, poured their drinks and washed their hands. Staff asked permission before nappy changes, bringing respect for the child into an everyday care routine. Behaviour was approached calmly, with children redirected towards useful participation rather than attention being concentrated on a minor disruption.

Parent communication in January 2025 included safer sleep, dental care and online safety, as well as ideas for learning at home. Families could spend time with their children in the nursery. Current arrangements include staff training in safeguarding and paediatric first aid, suitability checks and a video entry system at the front doors; these are practical arrangements rather than a substitute for the dated safeguarding judgement.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Kids & Co operates for 51 weeks, including most bank holidays, with a four-day Christmas closure. That calendar matters for families whose work continues through school holidays.

In January 2025, early years sessions ran from 9.30am to 2.30pm. For children aged five to eleven, the Breakfast Club and After School Club provide term-time care around the school day, while the Holiday Club covers school holidays, teacher training days and school closures due to extreme weather. Transport to and from nearby schools forms part of the school-age service.

Getting There

The address is St John Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, ST1 2HP. Enquiries can be made through the online form, by telephone on 01782 267359 or by email at info@kidsandcodaynursery.co.uk.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education includes 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds, with 30 hours for eligible children; the three-year-old entitlement starts in the term after the third birthday. Funding is also offered for eligible two-year-olds. These are conditional entitlements, so the distinction between a child's age and their eligibility matters when planning attendance.

• Speaking opportunities. The January 2025 improvement priority was to give children more practice speaking. On a visit, ask how staff create opportunities for children to lead conversations and explain their ideas.
• The early years timetable. The January 2025 session window was shorter than the nursery's opening day. Ask which attendance pattern would suit your child's age and your working hours.
• Continuity after nursery. The term-time clubs and Holiday Club extend care into the school years, with transport serving nearby schools. Families considering that longer relationship should establish whether the transport arrangements fit their intended school.

Kids & Co suits families who value active outdoor play, practical learning and a childcare relationship that can continue into the school years. Its offer serves both term-time care before and after school and holiday care, alongside the nursery day. The Good judgement provides a clear inspection position; the speaking-practice priority gives parents a specific issue to explore. The strongest practical combination is outdoor space, a calendar covering most of the year and continuity through the school-age clubs.