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Welcome to Kids 1st

Welcome to Kids 1st

Your nursery in
Stockton-On-Tees

Google
4 /5

At Kids 1st Bowesfield, we provide a warm and welcoming environment where children can learn, explore and grow in confidence. Our purpose-built nursery in the suburbs of Stockton-on-Tees offers spacious, carefully designed areas where children can enjoy their early years at their own pace.

Our caring and experienced team support children through every stage of their development, creating engaging experiences that encourage curiosity, independence and confidence. With two qualified teachers and a Level 3 SENCO as part of our team, we provide tailored support to help every child flourish.

Kids 1st
Stockton-On-Tees
Nursery Facilities

Our nursery has multiple childcare rooms, allowing children to learn and play alongside others at a similar age and stage of development. Each room offers a range of sensory toys and learning resources, with activities designed to support children’s individual interests and development.

Children have access to seven large gardens, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air, be active and explore the outdoors. With free-flow access, miniature obstacle courses, climbing equipment and trikes, children can develop their physical skills, independence and confidence while taking supervised safe risks.

Our Foundation Class helps prepare preschoolers for their next steps into school, with experiences designed to build confidence, independence and essential skills. Our Bee Curious Curriculum supports learning through play and encourages children to remain curious as they explore the world around them.

Located on Cygnet Drive, close to the A135 and Bowesfield Marsh, our nursery is conveniently positioned for families in Stockton-on-Tees and the surrounding area. We have ample on-site parking for easy drop-offs and collections, as well as a handy buggy store for families arriving on foot.

For added peace of mind, all entrances feature a secure intercom access system.

We’d love to welcome you and your family to Kids 1st Bowesfield. Book a visit to explore our nursery, meet the team and discover what we have to offer.

Special things about Stockton-On-Tees

Local school links

Local school links

Building strong connections with nearby schools.

Purpose-built nursery

Purpose-built nursery

Dedicated spaces designed for children’s learning and development.

Sensory room

Sensory room

A calming space supporting sensory needs and exploration.

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Beth Woods

Hello, my name is Beth Woods and I am the Centre Director here at Kids 1st Bowesfield, Stockton.

Here at our centre, we create a warm and nurturing environment where children can feel happy, secure and at home. Our team provides a variety of engaging experiences that encourage children to explore, learn through play and develop their confidence and independence.

We also value strong relationships with families, working together to create a welcoming and supportive nursery community where every child feels valued and encouraged to thrive.

I look forward to welcoming you and your child and sharing in the exciting first steps of their learning journey.

Reviews

What
Stockton-On-Tees
parents say

Really happy with this nursery. My daughter is very well looked after and has thrived in their care. I feel really confident in their abilities and how much they care for the children.

Great nursery, my daughter has absolutely loved her time at kids 1st. Staff friendly & caring!

Sometimes I don’t feel heard, there’s no answers to questions when submitted online and no reassurance of concerns But apart from that, my daughter loves to go to nursery and looks happy and the staff in her class looks friendly and loving.

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Kids 1st Stockton-On-Tees operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 6:00 offering full-day care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Open 52 weeks a year, Kids 1st Stockton-On-Tees helps support families around the demands of work and everyday life.

We look forward to working with you to create a plan that suits your family.

SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDING

We take pride in our safeguarding policies

Safety and safeguarding are at the heart of everything we do, and your child's safety is our highest priority. Our policies and procedures are designed to ensure every child in our care is safe, supported and well looked after.

Learn more

Award-Winning Safeguarding Standards recognising our commitment to protecting children across the UK

A dedicated Safety and Safeguarding Team with decades of experience, led by an industry-recognised leadership team

ISO 45001 certification supported by robust policies and procedures to help protect every child in our care

Thorough recruitment processes including enhanced DBS checks and comprehensive referencing, before joining Busy Bees

Carefully managed drop-off and collection procedures and sign out with controlled entry

Paediatric first aid trained staff in every nursery

A safe, supportive environment and a dedicated "speak up" service, where team members can confidentially report concerns 24/7, 365 days a year, through a variety of channels, without fear of retaliation

Curriculum and education

Giving your child the best start in life

Our Bee Curious curriculum is at the heart of everything we do, helping your child grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

Centred around your child's interests and pace, we combine purposeful play with a carefully designed curriculum that fosters curiosity and confidence. Bee Curious guides every moment in our nursery, from caring routines to planned activities, placing the unique child and their key person at the heart of learning. From encouraging independence at mealtimes, to supporting friendships in the playground, to celebrating every milestone with enthusiasm, our curriculum sparks a love of learning from the very beginning.

Expertly

developed

Using our 40 years of industry leading childcare experience, Bee Curious is a blueprint for playful learning. It is:

Developed by industry-leading experts and using over 40 years of global expertise

Based on the latest child behavioural science research and findings

Developed through collaboration with Busy Bees educators across the world

Led by Gill Jones MBE - Busy Bees Group Chief Quality Officer

Playfully

taught

Alongside structured learning, we encourage your child to express themselves freely and explore the world around them through creative and outdoor experiences that support every area of development. We do this by:

Using role play and storytelling to strengthen communication

Exploring art, music and movement

Learning outdoors in a safe, stimulating environment

Developing physical coordination and confidence

A head start

in life

Our teams nurture your child's curiosity and confidence, preparing them not just for school, but for life. We do this by:

Early reading and writing through storytelling and mark-making activities.

Strong number sense through counting, patterns and problem-solving.

Hands-on, purposeful play to encourage critical thinking and curiosity.

Strengthening focus and listening skills with guided group learning sessions.

Childcare at Busy Bees

Childcare funding

Funding and fees

Understanding childcare funding and nursery fees can feel complicated. Our aim is to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible, helping you to find the right options for your family.

Use our funding fees calculator to estimate how your childcare hours could reduce your weekly nursery fees. Before using the calculator, please check which funding you might be eligible for here.

explore a day at busy bees

A day in the life at Kids 1st Stockton-On-Tees

Two bees greeting

Arrival and welcome

from 7:30am

Children arrive from 7:30am and are warmly greeted by our team.

Bee with a bowl of snacks

Breakfast

Children can enjoy fresh fruit with a selection of cereals or porridge.

Bee reading a book

Morning time

9am — 12pm

Every morning, children are introduced to activities that engage their interest.

Focused sensory activity

Exploring colours and textures

Outdoor exploration

With educators to guide the play.

Snack time

A nutritious snack and/or formula milk (if required) is provided.

A story with calm time or a nap

The children may have one or two naps in the day depending on their home routine and we will always offer these in line with their home life.

Bee holding an apple

Meal time

12pm — 2pm

A nutritious lunch. Our full NHS-accredited menu is available here.

Rest and Relaxation

Quiet play or nap time.

Bee gardening with a watering can

Afternoon
Activities

2pm — 5pm

Engaging your child with activities based around our Book of the Moment.

Outdoor guided play

In purposefully themed play spaces.

Tea time

A light evening meal.

Two bees flying together

Wrap up
and home time

until 6:00pm

Our last available pick up is at 6:00pm.

Two bees greeting

Arrival and welcome

from 7:30am

Children arrive from 7:30am and are warmly greeted by our team.

Bee with a bowl of snacks

Breakfast

Children can enjoy fresh fruit with a selection of cereals or porridge.

Bee reading a book

Morning time

9am — 12pm

Every morning, children are introduced to activities that engage their interest.

Focused learning activity

A warm welcome with a morning song

Snack Time

Age-appropriate sensory or learning activity.

Outdoor learning

Exploration and connection with nature, whatever the weather.

Story time and reflection

A calming period before lunch.

Bee holding an apple

Meal time

12pm — 2pm

A nutritious lunch. Our full NHS-accredited menu is available here.

Rest and Relaxation

Quiet play or nap time.

Bee gardening with a watering can

Afternoon
Activities

2pm — 5pm

Engaging your child with activities based around our Book of the Moment.

Curious Mind

Maths, sensory experiences or problem solving.

Tea time

A light evening meal.

Outdoor play

In purposefully themed play spaces.

Two bees flying together

Wrap up
and home time

until 6:00pm

Our last available pick up is at 6:00pm.

Children and staff sharing a healthy meal at nursery

Food

Our weekly menu

NHS-accredited meals, drinks and snacks available.

Prepared daily by our on-site nursery chef

Variety of fresh ingredients throughout the week

Supports healthy growth and development

NHS-accredited nursery menu; our two seasonal menus are accredited by NHS Startwell, ensuring the food we serve is balanced and offers optimal nutrition.

If your child has any dietary requirements, allergies or cultural preferences, please speak with the Centre Director. Our team will work to ensure safe, suitable alternatives are provided.

Track Progress

Our mobile App

Throughout the day, keep up to date with your child's progress with our Busy Bees App.

Learn More
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