About Us

Cromer Childcare has been a trusted part of the community for over 60 years. Our dedicated team is committed to providing a warm, friendly, and nurturing home-from-home environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn.

We offer 15 or 30 hours of free childcare for eligible families. If you’d like to discuss your circumstances, feel free to give us a call. You can also check your eligibility for free funded hours here. In addition to our funded places, we also offer the option to pay for additional sessions if you need extra childcare on top of your funded hours.

Learning Through Play

We believe children learn best by actively exploring their interests through play. Play enables them to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. We foster independence by providing opportunities for children to investigate, explore, and follow their own curiosity in a stimulating environment.

Outdoor Learning & Well-being

Outdoor play is a vital part of our curriculum. We believe that spending time outside enhances children’s well-being and development. Our outdoor learning environment is accessible throughout the day, encouraging physical activity, movement, and a connection with nature. These experiences help children develop healthy and active lifestyles while promoting confidence and well-being.

Supporting Development & Emotional Growth

Our experienced staff help children develop problem-solving skills, and think critically through open-ended questioning and tailored support. Personal, social, and emotional development is at the heart of our approach. We encourage children to understand and manage their feelings by giving them the language to express a range of emotions and build positive relationships.

Parental Involvement

We believe strong partnerships with parents enhance a child’s learning journey. Parents and carers are welcome to drop into the setting at any time. We also hold Parent Meetings in the autumn and spring terms, where you can discuss your child’s progress with their Key Person. Additionally, we offer Stay and Play sessions once a term, providing a great opportunity for families to engage in their child’s learning.

Observing & Celebrating Progress

We regularly observe and assess children’s learning to plan tailored activities that support their development. Each child has a Learning Journey, which documents their progress through observations and photographs. Parents are encouraged to contribute by sharing their child’s experiences at home, helping us gain a fuller picture of their learning and tailor activities to their individual needs.

Three kids aged 5 and 8 examining a roman snail in the grass.

Location

The setting is situated in the United Reformed Church Cromer Avenue, Low Fell, Gateshead NE9 6UJ

Our childcare setting is carefully designed with two large halls, two spacious smaller rooms, and two dedicated outdoor play areas and gardens, each tailored to suit different age groups.

Ethos and Values

At Cromer Childcare, we take pride in building secure, trusting relationships with both children and their families. We deeply value families as the first and most important educators in their child’s life. Recognising that every child is unique, we aim to create an environment where children feel safe, secure, and supported, helping them develop resilient self-esteem and a lifelong love of learning.

We are dedicated to providing the right balance of challenge and opportunity for children to develop their ideas, explore, and think critically. By offering just the right amount of support, we help children build independence, confidence, and discover their unique talents, while also addressing any developmental needs or challenges they may face.

Our learning environment is thoughtfully designed to foster the characteristics of effective learning. It encourages exploration, play, and sustained shared thinking, prompting curiosity and inquiry. The resources we provide are accessible, well-organised, flexible, and open-ended, with the environment continuously evolving to reflect the children’s needs and interests. We are committed to improving the setting, ensuring it’s the best it can be for our children.

Our outdoor area is an extension of our indoor space, offering an inspiring environment for young children. Regular and extended access to outdoor learning is an integral part of our sessions. With four distinct outdoor areas, children have the opportunity to engage with the natural world, take managed risks, and develop resilience, all while being supported by our practitioners who encourage self-belief and confidence in their abilities.

Your Career Starts Here

Do you have a passion for working in childcare? Interested in joining our team? We regularly post job vacancies on our Facebook page. Be sure to follow us to stay updated on opportunities. We look forward to hearing from you!

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