Big Hands Little Hands Nursery School

About this day nursery

Big Hands Little Hands Nursery School, located in Consett, provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 0 to 4 years. Rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, the nursery creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere where children thrive and learn.

The dedicated staff team treats children with respect, valuing their views and actively listening to them. The curriculum focuses on developing confident and independent learners through a wide range of engaging activities both indoors and outdoors.

\n\nThe nursery boasts a highly stimulating environment where children regularly become absorbed in play, from hunting for sea creatures in the water tray to practising scooping flour. Older children engage in imaginative role-play, such as running an ice cream parlour, which encourages mark-making skills and confident communication.

Stories and rhymes are effectively integrated into the daily routine, enhancing language development. \n\nThe setting places a strong emphasis on continuous improvement, with significant enhancements made to the outdoor area to support all aspects of the early years curriculum, including physical development and understanding of the world.

Staff demonstrate a deep knowledge of each child, tailoring activities to support individual learning journeys and next steps. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make very good progress due to the knowledgeable staff who work closely with parents and other professionals to implement effective strategies.

The development of speech and communication is a clear priority, with vocabulary displayed throughout the nursery and staff using skilful questioning techniques to encourage children to articulate their thoughts. The nursery also promotes good health through hygiene practices, nutritious meals, and the use of a sensory room for a calm sleep environment.

Independence is fostered by providing appropriate support for self-care and involving older children in daily tasks. Strong links with local schools facilitate smooth transitions for children.

Parents highly commend the nursery for the advice and support provided, valuing the effective communication regarding their children's progress. The nursery benefits from a strong spirit of teamwork among staff, who feel valued and are encouraged to pursue professional development opportunities, ultimately enhancing the quality of provision.

Our ethos

The nursery is committed to fostering confident and independent learners through a wide range of engaging indoor and outdoor activities. They focus on developing children's communication skills through storytelling, rhymes, and skilful questioning, and prioritise individual learning journeys by tailoring activities to each child's needs. The nursery also nurtures independence in self-care and daily tasks.

What it's like

Children demonstrate that they are happy and settled during their time at this friendly and welcoming nursery. The nurturing staff team treats children with a great deal of respect. Children are listened to, and their views are valued. The nursery environment is highly stimulating, both indoors and outside, offering a wide range of interesting activities.