Stephenson Way Rockets was established in April 2004. The Breakfast, After School and Holiday Club was located at Stephenson Way School, introduced by the Headteacher and a School Governor, who were fortunate to arrange funding to support the project.

They appointed a Manager and Deputy, who made all the arrangements and completed all paperwork required by Ofsted. Since opening we have gone from strength to strength. Staff numbers have increased from two to five to enable us to care for the numbers of children on our register, many who we have cared for from Nursery to senior school.

We stayed at Stephenson Way until August 2012 when due to the school’s increase in numbers we needed a full time classroom. We found the perfect building at the Community Hall, in School Aycliffe. We have a secure large spaced area, which includes a first class kitchen, a gym sized hall, a quiet room and an enclosed garden area along with plenty of parking space. We are also close to a lovely park and nature reserve.

We arrange transport to take and collect children from various schools in the Newton Aycliffe Area (Stephenson Way, St Josephs, Vane Road, St Oswalds, Aycliffe Village, Horndale Infants, St Francis, Byerley Park and Greenfield) and will consider other schools if the need arose. We thank Horndale Taxis, whose drivers are crb checked and Durham County Badged, for all their help and flexibility.

We offer the Children breakfast and a substantial daily snack, also fresh fruit is always available. We arrange lots of activities, creative or scientific, for the children. Other activities include board games, free play, role play and computer consoles for their amusement. Everything we plan is worked around the EYFS Framework and we believe we have a good working relationship with all Parents, Nursery and Reception classes as well as the older children.

Rockets are looking into the possibility of running a Parent & Toddler Group – watch this space! For any enquiries please contact us on 077498 44774, email info@stephensonwayrockets.co.uk or website www.stephensonwayrockets.co.uk. Myself Lesley Dickons, Manager, or other members of staff will be happy to help.

Other activities at School Aycliffe Community Hall are Slimming World on a Wednesday am, Pilates on a Wednesday pm and Zumba on a Saturday am.

Please feel free to come along and look around the facilities.