Welcome to Kids 1st

Your nursery in
Wansbeck, Ashington

4 /5

Looking for friendly, high-quality childcare in Ashington? Kids 1st Wansbeck provides a warm, welcoming environment where children can learn, play and grow in confidence. With dedicated spaces for different age groups, including a dedicated baby unit, children can enjoy care and learning that is tailored to their individual needs.

Our experienced team creates a home-from-home environment filled with opportunities to explore, discover and have fun. From sharing favourite stories and imaginative play to enjoying our spacious outdoor area, every day is designed to support your child's development through the Bee Curious curriculum.

Book visit Bee curious curriculum

Book visit Bee Curious Curriculum

Kids 1st
Wansbeck, Ashington
Nursery Facilities

Our Ashington nursery has a range of purpose-designed spaces, giving children plenty of room to learn, play and develop at their own pace. Our rooms are organised by age group, creating environments that are suited to each stage of your child's early years. We also have a dedicated baby unit, providing a calm and nurturing space where our youngest children can receive the close attention and care they need.

Our Bee Curious curriculum encourages children to learn through play, exploration and discovery. Our team provides a wide range of engaging experiences throughout the day, from reading and storytelling to imaginative role play, creative activities and physical play. Our large outdoor space gives children even more opportunities to be active, explore the world around them and develop their confidence.

We also use the Busy Bees App to help you stay connected with your child's nursery experience. You can follow their progress, see what they've been getting up to throughout the day and communicate with their key person. Kids 1st Wansbeck is conveniently located near Wansbeck General Hospital, making us a practical choice for families living and working in the local area. The nursery has on-site parking, making drop-offs and pick-ups simple and convenient for parents.

The nursery is also easily accessible by public transport. There is a bus stop outside the main entrance to Wansbeck General Hospital, served by the 1, X20 MAX and X21 Sapphire routes. From the hospital entrance, our nursery is just around a two-minute walk away.

With welcoming spaces, dedicated areas for different age groups, a spacious outdoor environment and a convenient Ashington location, Kids 1st Wansbeck is a great place for your child to begin their early learning journey.

Book a visit today to explore our nursery, meet our friendly team and see what makes Kids 1st Wansbeck special.

Special things about Wansbeck, Ashington

Sensory room

Dedicated space supporting sensory exploration and SEND needs.

Long-standing team

Experienced staff providing familiar faces and continuity.

Age-appropriate gardens

Dedicated outdoor spaces designed for each age group.

Woodland walks

Close to Woodhorn with opportunities to explore nature.

A warm welcome

from our Director

Director

Debbie-Anne Dickinson

Hello, my name is Debbie-Anne Dickinson and I am the Centre Director here at Kids 1st Wansbeck.

Here at our centre, we create a warm and nurturing environment where children can feel happy, secure and at home. Our team provides engaging opportunities for children to learn through play, explore their interests and develop their confidence and independence at their own pace.

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

Meet the amazing team

Assistant Centre Director

Jennifer Callan

Chef

April Longstaff

Ofsted

Google

4 /5

I am really happy with how my son has settled into the nursery. Debbie and the girls have helped him come out of his shell and develop so much!

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.

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.

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30

6:00

Kids 1st Wansbeck, Ashington 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 Wansbeck, Ashington 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.

Find us

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Calculate your fees Fee Sheet Funding Eligibility

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

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

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.

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

Rest and Relaxation

Quiet play or nap time.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Rest and Relaxation

Quiet play or nap time.

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.

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.

See our food & menu

Track Progress

Our mobile App

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

Learn More

Welcome to Kids 1st

Welcome to Kids 1st

Your nursery in
Wansbeck, Ashington