Hippitots Limited

We offer ‘30 hours childcare for working parents’

Hippitots was established in 2003 to offer care, pre-school education for children in our area.

We are open all year round (closed on Bank holidays) providing outstanding early years education and care from 8.00am till 5.45pm Monday to Friday. As part of our service we offer places for children eligible for:

• the 15 hours 2 year old funding,
• the universal 15 hours funding for 3 and 4 year olds
• 30 hours funding for working parents.

Hippitots is a graduate lead day early years nursery located in Coxhoe, Durham. We were judged GOOD by Ofsted in June 2022.

We have three rooms:

• Baby room (0 - approximately 18 months)
• Toddler room (approximately 18 months - 3 years)
• Pre school room (3 & 4 year olds)

All rooms are designed to allow children to develop their skills while accessing exciting learning opportunities enabling them to reach their full potential.

We have two outdoor areas. A rear yard designed with artificial grass flooring with a variety of activities available such as water play, sand, mark making etc. We also have a large garden designed with several different areas such as digging area, building area, sand pit, planting and sensory area etc.

Food and snacks are prepared fresh daily. All dietary needs are considered, and the children enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods. We have been awarded a five star food hygiene rating for several consecutive years.

Our manager and deputy manager are graduates (BA Honours in Children and Early Childhood/Early Years Professional respectively). While our Early Years Teachers are qualified from Level 2 up to Level 6. Staff are first aid qualified and take regular training for safeguarding.

To find out more about help with childcare costs please visit www.durham.gov.uk/childcarecosts

When is it on?

Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Session information
Open all year round Monday to Friday 8.00am till 5.45pm
Offer half day (8.00am till 12.30pm/1.15pm till 5.45pm) and full day (8.00am till 5.45pm) sessions
Sessions for 15 hours 2 year old funded and 15 or 30 hours funded sessions for 3 and 4 year old children

Who to contact

Contact name
Kay Durnall
Contact position
Manager
Telephone
0191 377 3759
E-mail
enquiries@hippitots.com
Website
Hippitots Limited

Where to go

Name
The Tarka Centre
Address
Hippitots Children's World
Commercial Road West
Coxhoe
Durham
County Durham
Postcode
DH6 4HJ

Other details

Cost description
Contact Hippitots for up to date prices
Age range
3 months - 12 years old

Availability

Childcare availability
Closed bank holidays
Before school
Term time
School holidays
After school
Free 3/4 yr places
Yes
Free 2 yr places
Yes
Will be providing 30 hours
Yes
30 Hours Partner Details (These are details of any other childcare provider(s) that this provider will work with to offer the 30 hours entitlement)
Hippitots is offering the funded 30 hours either term time or stretch offer.
Please contact the nursery for more details on how the extended funding can be used at Hippitots

Special provisions

Wheelchair access
No
Cultural provisions
Yes - Can cater for religions and cultures.
Special diets
Yes - Can cater for special diets.
Special needs experience
Autism
Behavioural problems

Vacancy details

Immediate vacancies?
Yes
Other information
Baby Room (0-18 months): Very limited availability. Contact nursery for up to date availability. Toddler room (18 months - 3 year old room): Limited availability. Contact nursery for up to date availability. Pre-School room (3 & 4 year olds): Limited availability. Contact nursery for up to date availability. (Updated 7th November 2023)

Other details

School drop off/collection
Last Ofsted inspection grade
Good
Ofsted report
View the latest Ofsted inspection report

Local Offer

Local Offer description

We are fully committed to providing care and support to children and their families.

We have used the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, DfES 0-25 SEND code of Practice and the Children and Families Act to devise policies and procedures which ensure children have the appropriate opportunities to develop a good self-image and good strong foundations for future learning.

Staff will use observations and assessments to identify children's individual needs and work alongside parents and other professionals involved to support children’s progress. 

At Hippitots, all children will have a key worker who will be responsible for the care and monitoring of the child’s development. The key workers will liaise with parents/carers and the SENCO if any issues arise and liaise with other professionals when needed.

We will treat each child as an individual, taking into account the child’s personality and past experiences. We use what the child can do as an important starting point in assessing the child’s level of development and use this as a basis to develop support plans which allow children to progress at their own rate.

Our SEN Coordinators attend regular business meeting to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest information and guidance plus attending training sessions. Our SENCOs will seek advice and support for themselves, children and families from other professionals. Any updates, recent research or relevant changes are feedback to all staff at staff meeting by our SENCo's.

We have a close working relationship with other professionals such as Health, and Speech and Language.

Contact name
Danielle Wilkinson and Bethany Nicholson (SEND Coordinators)
Contact telephone
0191 377 3759
Contact email
enquiries@hippitots.com

How does the early year's provision identify and assess children with special educational needs and disabilities?

How does the early year's provision identify and assess children with special educational needs and disabilities?

We work closely in partnership with parent/carers on admission to the nursery and throughout their time with us. During settling in visits staff share documentation with parent/carers to get information about the child's current stage of development which provides starting points in our planning for their learning.

Each child has a key person who along with other staff continuously observe and assess children during their time with us using this to plan and support the child's learning.

If staff have any concerns about a child, they will discuss this with the management team and parent/carers and advice will be taken on how to support both the child and family.

An assessment is completed each term which looks at how the child is developing allowing us to again highlight any concerns or delay in development which may not have previously been identified.

How will the curriculum be matched to meet children's developmental needs?

How will the curriculum be matched to meet children's developmental needs?

Each child has a monthly individual learning sheet which is completed by all staff highlighting the child's interest and any new skills learned; this information feeds into the planning of learning opportunities provided for the children.

We also encourage parent/carers to share new skills the child has started to use at home which we can support in the nursery. Next steps from child observations also feed into the planning of activities.

Some children may require an individual support plan which is specific to their need and supports areas of learning over a short period of time.

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

We have accessed the services of Speech and Language, Educational Phycologist, EAL and Equalities team, and Health.

What training have the staff supporting children with SEND had, or are having?

What training have the staff supporting children with SEND had, or are having?

Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinators attend business meetings held each term which provides training and updates in this area. All staff have access to a variety of courses online which look at all aspects of development.

How accessible is the early years setting environment? (indoors/outdoors)

How accessible is the early years setting environment? (indoors/outdoors)

Hippitots has two levels with the top floor access by stairs.

On the ground floor is our Baby room and Toddler room which has level access at the rear of the nursery. 

On the top floor is the pre-school room which can only be accessed by stairs.

Both of our outdoor areas are easily accessible.

How will the early years provision prepare and support my child(ren's) transition to their next educational establishment?

How will the early years provision prepare and support my child(ren's) transition to their next educational establishment?

Children attending and leaving Hippitots have well supported transitions.

Settling in visits - Children along with their parent/carers are required to have settling in visits so they become familiar with the environment and the staff as well as allowing for vital information sharing about the child and their development.

In house transitions - When children are moving from room to room within the nursery each child has several visits to their new room. The child's current and new key person will support the child during this process, and they will also share the child's current stage of learning and development as well as individual needs/requirements.

New Early Years setting - When children leave the nursery either to a different nursery the key person will complete and send the most up-to-date assessment for the new provider. They will also contact the new provider if there is any specific information which needs to be shared.

Attending school - When children leave to attend school reception teachers are invited to visit the child in the nursery which allows them to meet the child in a familiar environment. This enables the key person to share the child's latest assessment, discuss the child and their stage of development and to share a small report which looks at the areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. 

In the pre-school room we talk about school and the skills the children require throughout their time at the nursery.

Disclaimer

Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.

Journey planner

Address: Hippitots Children's World  Commercial Road West  Coxhoe  Durham  County Durham

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