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Kids 1st - Wansbeck

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2025)
·
4.3(12 parent reviews) ·Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9FY · Northumberland
Number of places
112 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Northumberland

About this day nursery

Kids 1st Wansbeck operates within the larger Busy Bees network, providing comprehensive childcare services. This nursery focuses on offering flexible funding options and aims to simplify understanding childcare costs for parents.

They provide a unique "Busy Bees One" package, which includes NHS Startwell accredited menus prepared by on-site chefs, promoting healthy eating habits and independence during mealtimes. The curriculum is enriched through collaboration with global educators, fostering curiosity and essential skills for school readiness.

The nursery also emphasises fostering children's confidence in exploring new tastes and using cutlery. They highlight the importance of play-based learning and an engaging routine in a supportive environment.

The nursery strives to accommodate various family needs with flexible care options, whether year-round or part-time. They guide parents through funding processes and offer assistance with eligibility and applications, ensuring accessible and affordable childcare.

Kids 1st Wansbeck is committed to high-quality care, focusing on children's well-being and development. They do not permit packed lunches for children not on the Busy Bees One package, ensuring nutritional consistency and food safety.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and demonstrate they feel safe and comfortable due to a robust key-person system. Staff are creative in their activities, quickly engaging children in play and capturing their interests, helping them to build strong attachments.

NHS Startwell accredited menusFlexible funding optionsEnriched curriculumChild-led learning

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Food

Three nutritious and balanced meals per day, snacks, and drinks, all freshly prepared by an on-site chef, included in Busy Bees One package; no packed lunches permitted for those not on Busy Bees One, only home-prepared hot meals.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Kids 1st - Wansbeck

Last inspected 5 June 2025

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and demonstrate they feel safe and comfortable due to a robust key-person system. Staff are creative in their activities, quickly engaging children in play and capturing their interests, helping them to build strong attachments.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team is passionate about the setting and its ongoing improvement.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well with thoughtful use of funding and close work with external professionals.
  • Children's communication and language development are supported effectively across all age groups through meaningful conversations and new vocabulary introduction.
  • Good opportunities are provided through activities and daily routines to promote children's mathematical development.
  • Children benefit from having nutritious meals cooked on site with robust procedures for dietary needs and allergies.

Areas to develop

  • 1continue to improve the monitoring of staff practice to help support staff to raise the quality of teaching and education even further.
Inspection #10406442 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

They feel very reassured that their children are in safe hands and have fun while learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and others in receipt of additional funding, are supported well. Leaders spend this funding thoughtfully to provide appropriate resources that support children's learning. Staff work closely with external professionals, such as the local authority's SEND advisers and speech and language therapists, to ensure children have appropriate, targeted support to narrow any emerging gaps.

Outdoor space

The curriculum is securely embedded across all areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors.

Parent Reviews of Kids 1st - Wansbeck

4.3
(12)
Mark Potter
4 months ago

Helpful friendly staff we are always updated with how our child is developing we have noticed her grow in confidence and it's certainly helping her development I can't fault the nursery at all and would highly recommend it.

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Vikki Johnson
2 years ago

Best nursery around, I couldn't recommend this place more. Every member of staff are professional, helpful and caring. My daughter only does 2 full days and has come on so much since starting last year. She will soon be moving to the toddler room and can't wait for her new chapter to start and I know she will love it and be well looked after.

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Heather
a year ago

If you read the last 2 Ofsted inspections, this should give you an insight into the problems at this nursery. My son had multiple issues here ranging from sore bum from soiled nappies being left too long, bitten multiple times, outside in 9 degrees with no coat on even after raising this as an issue. No updates on key worker changes, young staff with little experience and agency workers falling asleep on the job. The busy bees on cobalt where my son attended was unbelievable compared to this nursery. I should have declined the place after they sent my sons information to an email address that wasn’t authorised which included sensitive information. Avoid!

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Sophie Pattinson
a year ago

I highly recommend kids 1st wansbeck. They are amazing at what they do and are so helpful. My little girl could barely talk when she came first came here now she's a little chatter box they have brought her on lovely. I wish she could stay here for the rest of her school days😊 I'm dreading the day she has to leave to go to big school. I always feel like my daughter is very safe in this setting.

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Christine Allport
2 years ago

My daughter was at another nursery prior to Kids 1st and she hated going and was never happy. Within a few weeks of starting this nursery, my daughter is disappointed when she isn't coming. Is always so excited to leave the house and has come on leaps and bounds. The staff are fabulous and accommodating too

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Kids 1st - Wansbeck. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025

Date: October 2008

  • June 2025Good
  • July 2024Requires improvement
  • September 2019Good
  • March 2015Outstanding
  • October 2008Good

Frequently asked about Kids 1st - Wansbeck

About the setting

Kids 1st - Wansbeck registered in 2004. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff, 18 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7am until 6pm, and offers government funded places for childcare.

URN
EY283628
Registered person
Busy Bees Nurseries Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Requires improvement

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