Opening hours
8.30am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday
Universal Kids Childcare
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jun 2023)
Number of places
22 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2023
Local authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
About this day nursery
Universal Kids Childcare, located in Blakelaw, Newcastle Upon Tyne, offers childcare on non-domestic premises for children aged 2 to 4 years. 15pm, Monday to Friday, this Outstanding-rated nursery (last inspected on 15/06/2023) is a place where children are deeply involved in their learning, displaying constant enjoyment and motivation.
They have ample opportunities to explore and investigate, fostering confident learning. The nursery excels in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), providing detailed support plans, using signs and visuals, and adapting language to aid communication.
Staff have even undergone Makaton training to further support children with SEND. Recognising that some children may not have gardens at home, Universal Kids Childcare provides a wealth of opportunities for outdoor play in all weathers.
Children can be found jumping barefoot in puddles, noticing their footprints, making marks with mud and sticks, and painting with water on outdoor walls. Children proudly grow fruits and vegetables in the nursery garden, taking their produce to the kitchen to be cooked for their meals.
The dedicated staff possess a detailed understanding of child development, crafting a curriculum that ensures every child makes the best possible progress, and the nursery was established in 2009. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about their children's experiences, noting that their children run in enthusiastically, excited for their day.
What it's like
Children are deeply involved in their learning, displaying constant enjoyment and motivation when they play. They have wonderful ideas and demonstrate excellent vocabularies. Children then extend their play by using planks of wood to make a 'bridge' to balance and walk across.
Strong SEND supportExcellent outdoor playExceptional behaviourEffective curriculumStrong parent partnershipsDedicated staff
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Universal Kids Childcare
Last inspected 15 June 2023 · Melanie Vincent
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children are deeply involved in their learning, displaying constant enjoyment and motivation when they play. They have wonderful ideas and demonstrate excellent vocabularies. Children then extend their play by using planks of wood to make a 'bridge' to balance and walk across.
Inspector highlights
- Staff have a detailed knowledge of how children learn and develop and plan a curriculum that helps every child to make the best possible progress.
- The nursery provides excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Children's behaviour is exceptional, and they happily take turns without prompting.
- Managers continually observe staff's practice to extend their knowledge and the quality of education even further.
- Children have opportunities to constantly explore and investigate, which helps them to be confident learners.
Inspection #10288832 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents comment that their children run into this outstanding nursery very enthusiastically, excited to start their day.
Parents are overwhelming positive about their children's experiences in the nursery.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The nursery provides excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff put detailed support plans in place for children with SEND. They use signs and visuals and adapt their language to help children with SEND to communicate. Staff have also attended Makaton training to support children with SEND.
Outdoor space
Children can choose to play and learn outdoors in all weathers. When playing in a large sit-in sandpit outside, children decide to make a 'river'. Staff recognise that some children live in flats and do not have gardens, and therefore provide children with a wealth of opportunities to be outdoors. Younger children are engrossed when jumping barefoot in puddles outdoors, noticing the marks that their footprints have left. Children make marks with mud and sticks, use their hands to mix paint in large trays and paint with water on the wall outdoors.
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023
Date: February 2010
- June 2023Outstanding
- November 2017Good
- November 2014Good
- February 2010Good
Frequently asked about Universal Kids Childcare
About the setting
Universal Kids Childcare registered in 2009 and is located in Blakelaw, Newcastle upon Tyne. It employs seven members of childcare staff, six of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens during term time and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY398892
- Registered person
- Bunhill Services 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
- Good
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