Craghead Childcare Centre
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Stanley for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2024. Open since 2004, with 38 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DH9 6AGWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 23 January 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The managers and staff have worked successfully to address the actions set at the last inspection. The curriculum is ambitious in supporting all children, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to make good progress. The curriculum has been sequenced to ensure that younger children build on their self-confidence and develop in key areas of learning, such as communication and social skills. Older children are supported to prepare for school, with a focus on teaching skills in independence.
Staff show high levels of respect towards the children and families and this has resulted in very secure and trusting relationships. Children show they feel happy and safe here. For example, when children need emotional support, they run to their favourite members of staff to receive comfort and cuddles. Staff respond warmly. They understand the children's needs and they know the best way to calm and soothe them.
Staff have high expectations of behaviour and are quick to provide gentle support to help children resolve conflict. Staff promote positive behaviours in children by providing lots of praise when children make good choices in their behaviour. This is illustrated when children wait patiently for a friend to finish their turn at crossing the play bridge before having their own turn.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- plan more effectively to ensure children benefit from high quality interactions and support.
- 23 January 2024Good
- 22 February 2023Needs improvement
- 4 May 2017Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Craghead Childcare Centre
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.