Services offered at Tik Tok

Tik Tok is open 51 weeks of the year from 07.30-18.00 hours (closed between Christmas and New Year). A Holiday Play Scheme is also in operation (further information available on request).

Safety and Security

Safety and security of our children is of paramount importance so we have a strict door entry policy and the correct ratios of staff to children. All staff are trained and qualified and are qualified first aiders. Activities in each playroom are monitored by internal cameras and there are fire alarms in each room and safety glass in windows.

Meals at Tik-Tok
We provide a well-balanced menu so that parents can be confident that their children are getting the best quality food, high in proteins and vitamins, with essential carbohydrates needed for energy and growth.

All meals are prepared fresh daily on the premises by our very own cook We cater for vegetarians and offer a vegetarian alternative to all meat dishes We use fresh fruit and vegetables We do not use any salt in our cooking and reduce sugar by half in all recipes We offer a multi-cultural menu  We use wholemeal bread and wholemeal self-raising flour  We use sunflower margarine and oil in our cooking We are willing to provide meals for children on special diets although we may ask parents to assist by supplying specialise ingredients if necessary There are suitable alternatives provided for weaning children at all meals

• 8.20am Breakfast for over 2's
• 8.40am Breakfast for under 2's
• 11.15am Lunch for the under 2 ’s
• 12.15pm Lunch for the over 2 ’s
• 3.00pm Tea

Special Needs
Children with special needs are welcomed at our nursery whenever possible, following consultation between parents, the nursery manager and any other outside agencies involved in the welfare of the child.

Through our Keyworker Development System, individual programmes are set for each child in close liaison with parents. This enables staff to monitor children’s needs and progress on an individual basis. The nursery works in close liaison with professionals from outside agencies such as speech and physiotherapists, health visitors, and portage workers. The nursery has three Special Needs Co-ordinators who attend regular courses and seminars giving feedback to other staff through in-service training.

Inclusion Charter
Tik-Tok’ nursery is one of three organisations chosen to pilot the “Inclusion Charter” which aims to examine the inclusiveness of the premises, play activities and overall approach to early years learning. It is the nursery's aim to be accessable to children and parents from all walks of life. Through this scheme we have developed an inclusive working practice allowing us to care and provide for each child's needs.

Councillor Linda Green is cabinet member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council. She said: “We want every child, no matter what their abilities or circumstances, to be able to participate fully in play schemes, out-of-school-clubs and nurseries that we run. The Inclusion Charter sets out our aims to enable all children to develop, make friends, and above all, have fun together in an environment where diversity is celebrated. I am delighted that Tik-Tok and the other pilot schemes have signed up to the charter and they will provide us with valuable information to shape the charter for the future.”

For more information about the Inclusion Charter click on the logo above or contact the Children’s Information Service, Gateshead Early Years Partnership, Dryden Professional Development Centre, Low Fell on Tel: (0191) 4915594.

Dancing Lessons

If you wish your child to learm basic ballet and movement to music, a quailified dance teacher visits the nursery on a Wednesday for a small extra fee.

Daily Diaries

To enable us to work in partnership with parents and to keep a close liaison with home, all children under age 3 have a diary completed daily. This records the child's new and exciting experiences, milestones and events/activities. It enables parents to tell us abouit events at home and forms a special record for parents to keep. In the Foundation stage, age 3 plus, observational assessments and photographs are used to record child development and stored in files accessible by parents at any time or on parents evenings.

Birthdays

As each child's birthday is very special we celebrate with a cake cooked on the premises.