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Durham University Day Nursery

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Dec 2022)
·
3.7(3 parent reviews) ·Haworth Building, Pelaw Leases Lane, Durham, DH1 1TA · Durham
Number of places
90 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2022
Local authority
Durham

About this day nursery

Durham University Day Nursery, established in 2003, is an Outstanding rated (December 2022) childcare setting for children aged 0–4 years. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, all year round (excluding Christmas and bank holidays), the nursery provides a consistent and stimulating environment.

The dedicated staff, many of whom have been with the nursery for many years, ensure children settle in happily and confidently, forming strong bonds with their key persons. Children benefit from a varied, ambitious, and interesting educational programme, which includes exciting trips and activities.

The nursery places a strong emphasis on developing children's independence, with both younger and older children encouraged to participate in routines and tasks. The setting has excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, led by an experienced and dedicated SENCo, ensuring all children make excellent progress.

Staff are particularly focused on developing children's speech and language skills, offering interventions to support this crucial area of development. All children have access to an excellent outdoor learning environment throughout the day, where they can develop large-muscle skills through climbing, balancing, and running.

Children who speak English as an additional language receive tailored, individualised support that values their home experiences. Parents are highly satisfied with the progress their children make and appreciate the regular updates they receive.

What it's like

Children are inspired and thrive at this outstanding nursery, and they are placed at the heart of its care. They enter the setting happily and confidently, developing exceptionally strong and trusting bonds with their key person and other staff members. Children's behaviour is excellent, and they benefit from staff who know them very well and plan a varied, ambitious and interesting educational programme.

Outstanding Ofsted ratingStrong SEND supportExcellent outdoor learningFocus on speech and languageStrong parent partnershipparent partnershipWell-established setting for independence

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm, all year round, excluding the Christmas period and bank holidays

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2003

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Durham University Day Nursery

Last inspected 1 December 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children are inspired and thrive at this outstanding nursery, and they are placed at the heart of its care. They enter the setting happily and confidently, developing exceptionally strong and trusting bonds with their key person and other staff members. Children's behaviour is excellent, and they benefit from staff who know them very well and plan a varied, ambitious and interesting educational programme.

Inspector highlights

  • All children show fantastic levels of independence, quickly learning routines and developing determination.
  • Children who speak English as an additional language receive excellent individualised support, valuing their home experiences.
  • Children have access to an excellent outdoor learning environment, where they develop large-muscle skills.
  • The setting has strong support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with an experienced and dedicated SENCo.
  • Partnership with parents is incredibly strong, with parents providing excellent feedback and playing an active role in their children's learning.
  • Staff are highly skilled due to ongoing professional development, and the management team monitors their performance.
  • Staff place a strong emphasis on developing children's speech and language skills, with intervention groups set up to support children affected by the pandemic.
  • The management team and staff have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection issues, with robust procedures in place.
Inspection #10229480 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

"parents say they are exceptionally pleased with the progress their children make and really value the daily updates they receive."

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The setting has strong support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children benefit from an experienced and dedicated special educational needs coordinator. The management team and staff are passionate about ensuring that all children's needs are quickly met. This results in children making excellent progress in their development. Staff place a strong emphasis on developing children's speech and language skills. They introduce and model language consistently and ask questions that encourage detailed replies. The management team recognises the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's speech development. In response, they have set up small intervention groups to further support children's speech and language development.

Outdoor space

Children of all ages have access throughout the day to the excellent outdoor learning environment. They enjoy experiences with confidence, excitement and determination. Children develop their large-muscle skills as they climb, balance and run in the outdoor space.

Parent Reviews of Durham University Day Nursery

3.7
(3)
Ana Tin
7 months ago

Most of the staff that used to make this nursery 'outstanding' have left. My grandchild hates going there and her parents feel so guilty that she learns absolutely nothing there. There is only one update every couple of weeks if we are lucky, whereas other reputable nurseries are sending multiple updates a day (while maintaining ratios and spending enough time with children). There are constant outbreaks of disease, e.g. hand foot and mouth and chicken pox is going around at the moment. For chicken pox, we are told if we get the vaccine (as in, to protect us from a disease circulating from the nursery itself) we may have to keep the child home!! They also kept us on under the false promise they would get a new building 'soon'. This went on for years and seems to have been quietly shelved even though there are empty university buildings (e.g. they could have moved to the Mountjoy centre). The current building has needed to be supported with scaffolding for over a year. How is that safe? Not to mention, the other review is from a member of staff 🤦‍♀️

Read on Google
Heather Bancroft
4 years ago

Lovely nursery. Would recomend.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Durham University Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2022

Date: August 2009

  • December 2022Outstanding
  • February 2017Good
  • June 2015Good
  • August 2009Good

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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