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Dinky Groves Day Nursery

Ofsted: Expected standard·Door 84 Youth Space, 84 Lowther Street, YORK, YO31 7LX · York
Number of places
38 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
May 2026
Local authority
York

About this day nursery

Dinky Groves Day Nursery, registered in 2021, provides a stimulating environment for children aged 0-9 years. The nursery operates from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, all year round, and is located at Door 84 Youth Space, 84 Lowther Street, YORK YO31 7LX.

The nursery employs nine childcare staff, three of whom are qualified, to deliver a well-planned curriculum across all areas of learning. The manager supports senior staff in designing engaging activities, focusing on developing children's language through conversation and simple sign language.

Children benefit from warm relationships with staff and peers, confidently following routines that promote learning and good behaviour. The outdoor area offers opportunities for active play, where children develop strength and coordination.

While parents consistently receive excellent daily information through the online application, the nursery is working on improving communication regarding next steps for children needing additional support.

What it's like

Children are very happy and settled in nursery, benefiting greatly from warm, trusting relationships with staff and friendships with peers. They confidently follow well-rehearsed daily routines that promote learning and good behaviour. Children's behaviour is consistently very good because they know what is expected of them.

Warm relationshipsGood behaviourLanguage richActive outdoor play

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2021

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected May 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
0 to 11
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Dinky Groves Day Nursery

Last inspected 8 May 2026 · Pat Edmond

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children are very happy and settled in nursery, benefiting greatly from warm, trusting relationships with staff and friendships with peers. They confidently follow well-rehearsed daily routines that promote learning and good behaviour. Children's behaviour is consistently very good because they know what is expected of them.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager supports senior staff to plan an interesting and effectively delivered curriculum that covers all areas of learning.
  • Staff skilfully provide many opportunities for children to practise what they know and can do, helping them develop good recall and confidence.
  • The staff team works well together, and less-experienced staff feel well supported by seniors.
  • There is a strong focus on developing children's language, with staff engaging children in conversation and using simple sign language.
  • Children enjoy books, stories, and rhymes, with staff actively engaging them in these activities.
  • Children work up a healthy appetite as they play actively outdoors in the fresh air.
  • Staff provide a good range of opportunities for children to investigate and consider their findings, concentrating for prolonged periods as they use magnifying glasses to examine insects.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective and staff understand signs that might mean a child is at risk of harm.

Areas to develop

  • 1Share children's appropriate next steps more effectively with parents, particularly to support language skills.
  • 2Monitor the quality of staff interaction in more detail to enhance children's learning further.
Inspection #10217106 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Where children need more support, staff identify next steps to help them to catch up with their peers. However, this is not always effectively communicated to parents via the online application.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy active outdoor play, building strength and coordination by moving crates and reels to create walkways. Younger children balance across constructions, and babies and toddlers use climbing frames and slides.

Inspection history

Date: March 2022

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Good). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • April 2022Good
  • March 2022Good

Frequently asked about Dinky Groves Day Nursery

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more