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Kids 1st Ferndene

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2025)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·64 Elton Parade, Darlington, DL3 8PQ · Darlington
Number of places
78 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2025
Local authority
Darlington

About this day nursery

Kids 1st Ferndene, part of the Busy Bees family, is a nursery located in Darlington that emphasises a comprehensive approach to early childhood education and care. The nursery focuses on supporting children's development through various age-appropriate activities and environments.

They highlight the importance of play-based learning, fostering curiosity, and promoting independence in children. The nursery provides a nurturing atmosphere where children are encouraged to explore new tastes, develop fine motor skills, and learn social skills during mealtimes with their NHS Startwell accredited menus, which are prepared on-site.

Kids 1st Ferndene aims to offer a consistent and high-quality experience for children while also providing convenience for parents with all-inclusive packages. They actively work with families to navigate government funding options, stretching funded hours across the year for flexibility and offering support with applications.

The nursery prioritises creating an inclusive environment where every child feels supported and can thrive, preparing them for future learning stages.

What it's like

Children are very happy and settled in this inviting, welcoming nursery. They arrive and are greeted warmly by kind and caring staff. Staff spend time building, nurturing and trusting relationships with children, which helps them to feel safe and secure.

NHS Startwell accredited menusGovernment funding supportPlay-based learningFocus on curiosity and independence

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Kids 1st Ferndene

Last inspected 20 August 2025 · Julie Campbell

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

What it's like to attend

Children are very happy and settled in this inviting, welcoming nursery. They arrive and are greeted warmly by kind and caring staff. Staff spend time building, nurturing and trusting relationships with children, which helps them to feel safe and secure.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff are very efficient at helping children to develop their language skills, introducing new vocabulary and modelling good pronunciation.
  • Children's independence is encouraged; babies learn to feed themselves, and older children serve their own lunch and manage personal needs.
  • Staff join in make-believe games, supporting and extending children's creativity, such as making soup and cookies in the mud kitchen.
  • Staff provide many experiences to encourage children to expand their understanding of mathematical concepts, from counting stairs to understanding measurement with local landmarks.
  • Children learn the importance of keeping healthy through daily routines, including nutritious snacks, collecting fruit from the garden, and regular fresh air and exercise.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen opportunities for coaching and monitoring of individual staff's teaching skills, to improve their knowledge of how to consistently maximise children's learning experiences
  • 2develop staff's understanding of curriculum intentions to enable them to focus specifically on what children need to learn next, to ensure that all activities challenge children's learning more effectively.
Inspection #10398716 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment positively about the nursery. They say that staff are warm, attentive and truly dedicated.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children really benefit from the vast outdoor area. Staff set resources to encourage children to be physically active in a range of ways, helping them to climb on frames and balance along planks, and providing opportunities to investigate nature.

Parent Reviews of Kids 1st Ferndene

5.0
(4)
Sharon Hughes
6 years ago

My son has just left Ferndene to start school. Since he started at 9 months old he has developed so well with the care and attention of the staff. Staff are always helpful and friendly. Like an extended family! My daughter has now begun nursery here too and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Such a fantastic setting with the best staff.

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N P
6 years ago

I cannot thank all the staff enough for their support they have given me and my daughter over the last few years. The team work incredibly hard and are always happy to help. They have helped shape my daughter into a polite, caring and sociable young girl and I cannot praise the team enough. I love the setting of this nursery and feel the grounds offer a welcoming family environment. The nursery is unique in its style and they made me and my daughter feel like part of the furniture. The building encompasses the history and culture of Darlington as well as promoting the modern day necessities children require to support their development. For me, this nursery is different to the others in town as they are extremely family orientated and I have never felt like my child was just a number on a document, which can happen at other nurseries. The staff care about every single child and this is evident when looking around the nursery and participating in activities within the nursery too.

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Jonathan Howells
2 years ago

Great nursery; children have developed well by attending.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Kids 1st Ferndene. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: December 2008

  • August 2025Good
  • November 2019Good
  • June 2014Outstanding
  • December 2008Good

Frequently asked about Kids 1st Ferndene

About the setting

Ferndene Nursery registered in 1987 and is located in Darlington. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff, with 17 holding appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one at level 5. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year, and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

URN
508025
Registered person
Busy Bees Nurseries Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Good

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