Published: 27/08/2026
Kids 1st in Low Fell, Gateshead, where children are cared for by ‘kind and nurturing staff’ has received glowing praise from Ofsted in its latest inspection.
Achieving a ‘Strong Standard’ across three categories including children’s welfare and wellbeing, the nursery team was recognised for strongly supporting children’s wellbeing through ‘comfort, affection and reassurance so that every child feels valued and understood’.
Located on Telford Close on the Saltwell Business Park, the nursery was described as a ‘joyful environment where relationships between children and staff are warm and supportive’ and children have a ‘sense of belonging’.
Inspectors commended the nursery for helping babies develop ‘strong and secure attachments with their key persons’, providing a strong foundation for their emotional wellbeing and early learning. Babies who are beginning to walk are offered ‘gentle support and encouragement’ while older children develop ‘coordination and spatial awareness’ as they build physical skills through active play.
Preparing children for school is also a key priority, with children learning the essential skills they need for their next stage of their education – from following instructions and dressing themselves – building ‘confidence, resilience and independence in abundance’.
The nursery is led by Amy Hedley-Trott, who, along with her team, bring more than 240 years of experience, providing trusted high-quality care for families in the community.
Amy Hedley-Trott, Centre Director at Kids 1st Low Fell, said: “This result means so much to our whole team and it is a wonderful recognition of the supportive, nurturing environments we strive to create for children every day. At the heart of it all, we just want children to feel cared for in a home-from-home environment and we are so thankful for our families who place their trust in us every day.”
Inspectors also applauded the nursery’s strong partnership with parents speaking ‘highly of the care their children receive and feel well informed about their children’s learning and development’. Families describe the staff as ‘absolutely amazing’ and greatly value the support provided to their families. Additionally, parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) praise staff for working closely with them, ensuring a ‘shared understanding of how best to nurture each child and meet their individual needs’.
A parent whose son attends the nursery, said: “Our son has attended Busy Bees Low Fell for the past three years and absolutely loves it. Following his recent registration as Severely Sight Impaired, the support from the team has been incredible. The staff are caring, responsive and genuinely invested in helping every child thrive. They have worked closely with us to make adjustments that allow our son to access learning, play and everyday activities with confidence.”
The nursery’s ‘rich and engaging’ curriculum was also given a special mention, engaging children in exploration and discovery. The team was commended for encouraging children to lead their own play from an early age, helping them build a ‘can-do attitude and build resilience'.
To find out more about Kids 1st Low Fell and to book a visit, please call 0330 333 8133 or click here.