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Kirklands at Startforth

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Apr 2023)
·Startforth Community Centre, High Startforth, Barnard Castle, DL12 9AQ · Durham
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2023
Local authority
Durham

About this day nursery

Kirklands at Startforth, established in 2021, is an Outstanding-rated childcare setting cater for children aged 2 to 4 years. Open Monday to Friday, all year round, with sessions running from 7:30 am to 6 pm, the nursery focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being.

The curriculum is creative and progressive, with a strong emphasis on mathematics woven into daily activities, such as comparing worm sizes in the garden or measuring water for baking. Children engage in detailed conversations with staff who introduce new vocabulary, enhancing their language development.

The nursery boasts a spacious enclosed garden where children actively participate in growing raspberries, beans, and herbs from compost. The wooded area of the garden helps children develop spatial awareness and physical skills by navigating obstacles.

Staff encourage independence and a sense of ownership, with children helping to peel fruit at snack time and performing shows on a pretend stage. The manager supports staff in developing their skills, including coordinating support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

What it's like

Children learn how to stay healthy and happy at this welcoming and very friendly nursery. There is strong focus on healthy lifestyles and well-being. Staff help children develop a sense of ownership and belonging.

Healthy Lifestyles FocusOutstanding TeachingCreative CurriculumOutdoor LearningVocabulary DevelopmentSEND Support

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2021

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Kirklands at Startforth

Last inspected 26 April 2023 · Julie Foers

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 learn how to stay healthy and happy at this welcoming and very friendly nursery. There is strong focus on healthy lifestyles and well-being. Staff help children develop a sense of ownership and belonging.

Inspector highlights

  • Younger and older children learn and explore together through a wide range of challenging and exciting experiences and activities.
  • Staff thoughtfully plan spaces the children use, providing rich opportunities for exploration with tactile and natural materials.
  • Teaching is of a consistently high quality throughout the setting.
  • Children enjoy detailed conversations with staff who introduce new words to help extend their vocabulary.
  • The experienced and well-qualified staff work together very well as a team, supporting each other and receiving support from the manager for their well-being and development.
Inspection #10281160 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

compassionate, professional, highly motivated and very supportive

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The manager encourages staff to develop their skills, supporting them to take responsibility for key areas, such as literacy and mathematics, and to coordinate support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Children observe how waste turns into compost and use this to help grow raspberries, beans and herbs in the nursery's enclosed garden. Children stretch and climb in the wooded area of the spacious garden, and staff design the layout so children learn to navigate their way around obstacles and develop their spatial awareness.

Inspection history

Date: April 2023

  • June 2023Outstanding
  • April 2023Outstanding

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