Snakes and Ladders Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Newcastle upon Tyne for children from birth to 5, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025. Open since 2023, with 34 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Newcastle upon Tyne
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Newcastle upon Tyne from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
NE3 5NFWhat 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, 9 April 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The pre-school has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Children show trust in the familiar staff and develop a strong sense of belonging. Staff prioritise outdoor learning, which gives children plenty of opportunities for fresh air and active play.
Relationships between staff and children are warm, which helps children to feel safe and secure. All children very much enjoy their time at pre-school. Those children who are new to the setting show increasing levels of confidence, while others are very self-assured. Staff's consistent praise and encouragement supports children to persevere in their learning, and they take pride in their achievements.
For example, children tell their friends, 'I know that blue and yellow make green.'
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- refine the planning of group activities to meet the needs of younger children more precisely at these times n establish more clear and consistent expectations for children during routines and times of transition between activities.
- 9 April 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
Still missing for Snakes and Ladders Pre-School
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.