Information about Tik-Tok for parents

We have moved!
The exciting news is that Tik-Tok has moved to a brand new purpose-built Nursery on Old Fold Road, Gateshead. The new building is situated close to Sunderland Road and the Felling Bypass, this makes for easy access.

Click HERE to see a map of our new location

In close partnership with parents, we promote an environment of high quality day care through our key worker development programme. We enable children to reach their full potential in an exciting, stimulating and educational atmosphere, geared to each child’s individual needs. This encourages them to progress and learn in a warm, secure and caring environment.

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
• Vegetarian, multi-cultural and special needs catered for
• No salt is used in our cooking and we reduce sugar by half in all recipes
• We use wholemeal bread and use wholemeal self raising flour
• We use sunflower margarine and oils in our cooking
• We are willing to provide meals for children on special diets although we may ask parents to assist by supplying specialist ingredients if necessary
• There are suitable alternatives provided for weaning children at all meals

Meals are served three times a day:

• 8.30am Breakfast
• 11.15am Lunch for the under 3 ’s
• 12.15pm Lunch for the over 3 ’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.

General Information

DANCING LESSONS
If you wish your child to learn basic ballet and movement to music, a qualified dance teacher is on site on Wednesday mornings for a small additional charge.

DAILY DIARIES
To enable us to work in partnership with parents and to keep a close liaison with home, each child has a diary which is completed daily. This records the child’s new and exciting experiences, milestones and important events. It also enables parents to tell us about events that happen at home. The diary also forms a special record for parents to keep of those precious early years.

BIRTHDAYS
As each child’s birthday is very special we celebrate with a cake made by our own cook.

WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT
We support applications for the Working Families Tax Credit. A help line is available for further information, Telephone number: 0800 597 5976

WORKING TOGETHER
As children gain their confidence they are gradually introduced to the other staff in the nursery.The development of our under 3 year olds is monitored by progress report sheets. Under the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum anecdotal notes and observations are used to form a nursery profile confirming the individual abilities of our children aged 3 to 5. Daily Diaries are also a good form of information. Each child’s key worker completes these on a daily basis to give parents a good insight into their child’s activities throughout the day.

SIBLING INTERACTION
We feel it is important for siblings to be given every opportunity to spend time together throughout the day.