Parkside Childcare

About this day nursery

Parkside Childcare, located in The Coleridge Centre, Darlington, registered in 2006, offers an outstanding early years provision. This intimate setting boasts a dedicated team of nine childcare staff, all qualified to at least level 3, with the manager holding a relevant early years degree at level 5.

The nursery caters to children aged 2 to 4 years old and has a capacity for 34 children, with 49 currently on roll. The team demonstrates a passionate commitment to providing high-quality service to local families, continuously evolving and making improvements that significantly benefit children, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

They prioritise developing outstanding communication skills from an early age, fostering close attachments between children and staff, and acting as excellent role models. Children are encouraged to develop independence, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of self-esteem through an ambitious curriculum and highly supportive staff interactions.

The nursery places a strong emphasis on fostering curiosity, independence, and problem-solving skills. Close partnerships with parents and other professionals, including occupational therapists and speech and language therapists, ensure that individual needs, especially for children with SEND, are met effectively, maximising the positive impact of additional funding.

The management team is inspirational, consistently evaluating and developing staff practices, with continued training in areas like advanced speech and language therapy and counselling to support families comprehensively. The welcoming environment, which includes a quiet room, sensory room, and stimulating outdoor area, allows children to explore and learn about risks and safe behaviours, fostering independence and expanding their understanding of the wider community through various experiences.

What it's like

This small and exceptional nursery team demonstrates a passionate commitment to maintaining their high-quality service for the benefit of local families in the community. It reflects on all aspects of the nursery and actively seeks and acts on the views of staff, parents and children. The nursery continues to evolve and make outstanding improvements to enhance outcomes for children, especially for children who are disadvantaged. Children form very close attachments to staff and behave impeccably well. Staff show high levels of respect for children and are excellent role models. This helps children to learn how to show consideration for others. Staff give children who are still learning to self-regulate superb support to help them to calm and learn how their behaviours can affect others. Key persons show children endless kindness, patience and praise and provide a very high level of care.