--- title: "Sure Start Children's Centre — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "Sure Start Children's Centre, a nursery in Whitehaven — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "logo": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/__l5e/assets-v1/18ee05cb-93ee-4d8a-b535-85644088f16f/nursery-advice-social-share.png", "sameAs": [ "https://twitter.com/nurseryadvice" ], "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer support", "email": "hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#webpage", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612", "name": "Sure Start Children's Centre — Rated Good by Ofsted", "description": "Sure Start Children's Centre, a nursery in Whitehaven — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#nursery", "name": "Sure Start Children's Centre", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "Howgill Family Centre", "addressLocality": "Catherine Street", "postalCode": "CA28 7PA" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#webpage" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 54.547247, "longitude": -3.583679 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Whitehaven" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 2, "suggestedMaxAge": 4 }, "award": "Ofsted: Good" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "North West", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=North%20West" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sure Start Children's Centre", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What outdoor learning is available at Sure Start Children's Centre?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children use an outdoor area where staff reinforce sun safety through hats and regular drinks of water during play. The outdoor provision supports active play alongside simple routines that help children understand how to stay safe in warm weather." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Sure Start Children's Centre suitable for under-twos?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting accepts children aged 2 to 4 years. It does not cater for under-twos." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Sure Start Children's Centre working on improving?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting is working on extending children’s language through richer vocabulary, strengthening staff teaching, and improving staff deployment so children receive more purposeful interactions and build further on their skills and knowledge." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How was Sure Start Children's Centre rated by Ofsted?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The current overall grade is Good, following the inspection on 11/07/2025." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Sure Start Children's Centre support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "There is strong SEND support, with staff using a key-person system and working with specialist professionals to plan tailored strategies. Tools such as now and next boards support communication and language, and families describe feeling well supported." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [North West](/search?region=North+West) 4. Sure Start Children's Centre # Sure Start Children's Centre Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Jul 2025) · Howgill Family Centre, Catherine Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7PA · Cumberland Number of places 20 places Age range 2–4 yrs Last inspected Jul 2025 Local authority Cumberland About - About - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Sure Start Children's Centre, located in Whitehaven, Cumbria, was established in 2000 as a childcare setting on non-domestic premises. The pre-school operates during term time, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:15 PM, offering full-day care for children aged 2 to 4 years. The centre, registered to provide 20 places, currently has 31 children on roll and provides government-funded childcare. The dedicated team of six childcare staff members, all holding at least a Level 2 early years qualification with one member possessing qualified teacher status, ensures a welcoming and nurturing environment where children make good progress. The pre-school is known for its strong support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), with passionate staff working with specialists to implement strategies that enhance communication and language skills. Leaders and staff also prioritise strong parent partnerships, providing strategies that help children continue their learning at home. What it's like The pre-school provides a welcoming environment where children make good progress and feel safe and secure. Staff are good role models, setting high expectations for behaviour and promoting independence and healthy lifestyles. Leaders plan a tailored curriculum to support individual learning, and strong support is available for children with SEND. Welcoming environment Good progress Strong SEND support Healthy lifestyles Child independence ## Key facts Opening hours Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3.15pm Term time / All Year Term\_time\_only Established 2000 Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Sure Start Children's Centre Last inspected 11 July 2025 Overall effectiveness Good What it's like to attend The pre-school provides a welcoming environment where children make good progress and feel safe and secure. Staff are good role models, setting high expectations for behaviour and promoting independence and healthy lifestyles. Leaders plan a tailored curriculum to support individual learning, and strong support is available for children with SEND. Inspector highlights - The pre-school provides a welcoming environment in which children make good progress in all aspects of their learning. - Children arrive happy and are well supported by friendly staff to separate from their parents and carers. - Staff are good role models and have high expectations for children, setting good standards regarding children's behaviour. - Leaders plan a balanced curriculum that is tailored to children's individual needs and helps children to build on their learning. - Staff promote children's independence very well, providing many opportunities for children to practise skills they will need for their next stage of learning. - Staff promote healthy lifestyles well, specifically supporting children to develop an understanding of staying safe in the sun and good oral health. - There is strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). - Leaders and staff work hard to develop positive relationships with parents, with strong parent partnership. - The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture. - The curriculum for communication and language is well supported. - There is an effective key-person system in place. - Children are not always fully engaged in purposeful activities and sometimes lack interactions from staff. Areas to develop - 1 Ensure staff use all opportunities to introduce new vocabulary to fully extend children's language skills. - 2 Monitor teaching even more closely to identify further areas where staff can develop their practice and extend their teaching. - 3 Review the deployment of staff to consistently provide purposeful interactions for children to build on their existing skills and knowledge. Inspection #10408984 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50284647) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Sure Start Children's Centre Inspection date Jul 2025 Inspection no. 10408984 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50284647)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/317612) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed Howgill Family Centre, Catherine Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7PA [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-3.58368/54.54725/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Whitehaven - [Day nurseries in Whitehaven](/search?q=Whitehaven) - [Day nurseries in North West](/search?q=North+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision There is strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Passionate staff work well with specialist professionals to develop strategies, such as 'now and next' boards, that develop the communication and language skills of children with SEND. This has helped these children to make good progress. Families of children with SEND feel extremely well supported by staff. Outdoor space Children are supported to develop an understanding of staying safe in the sun, knowing to wear sun hats and take regular drinks of water while playing outside. Inspection history Date: March 2012 - July 2025 Good - September 2019 Good - December 2014 Outstanding - March 2012 Outstanding ## Frequently asked about Sure Start Children's Centre ### What outdoor learning is available at Sure Start Children's Centre? ### Is Sure Start Children's Centre suitable for under-twos? ### What is Sure Start Children's Centre working on improving? ### How was Sure Start Children's Centre rated by Ofsted? ### How does Sure Start Children's Centre support children with SEND? ## Nearby day nurseries in Whitehaven Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Sure Start Children's Centre. - [ Ofsted: Good <0.2 mi ### ABC Day Nursery Whitehaven · CA28 7PG ](/nursery/abc-day-nursery-ca28-7pg) - [ Awaiting first inspection 0.9 mi ### Little Explorers Whitehaven Whitehaven · CA28 9HX ](/nursery/little-explorers-whitehaven-ca28-9hx-2786678) - [ Ofsted rating unavailable 1.0 mi ### HowGill Centre Nursery Whitehaven · CA28 9PQ ](/nursery/howgill-centre-nursery-ca28-9pq-2753823) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.4 mi ### Playroom Day Nursery Whitehaven · CA28 8PF ](/nursery/playroom-day-nursery-ca28-8pf-ey437625) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.5 mi ### Busy Bees Day Nursery Whitehaven · CA28 6SF ](/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-ca28-6sf-317368) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.0 mi ### Happy Hours Private Day Nursery Whitehaven · CA28 6RS ](/nursery/happy-hours-private-day-nursery-ca28-6rs-ey277855) [See all nurseries in Whitehaven →](/search?q=Whitehaven) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details. [Claim listing](/claim?nursery=sure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612) ### Share this nursery Send to a partner, friend or family member. Copy link[](https://wa.me/?text=Sure%20Start%20Children's%20Centre%20%E2%80%94%20on%20Nursery%20Advice%20https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612 "Share on WhatsApp")[](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/send?link=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612&app_id=140586622674265&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612 "Share on Messenger")[](mailto:?subject=Sure%20Start%20Children's%20Centre&body=I%20thought%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20this%20nursery%3A%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612 "Share on Email")[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612 "Share on Facebook")[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Sure%20Start%20Children's%20Centre%20%E2%80%94%20on%20Nursery%20Advice&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612 "Share on X")[](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612 "Share on LinkedIn")[](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612&title=Sure%20Start%20Children's%20Centre "Share on Reddit")[](https://t.me/share/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhug-your-search.lovable.app%2Fnursery%2Fsure-start-children-s-centre-ca28-7pa-317612&text=Sure%20Start%20Children's%20Centre%20%E2%80%94%20on%20Nursery%20Advice "Share on Telegram") 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](/about-our-data) Report an issue [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/) The independent UK nursery directory. Built with Ofsted data, kept current weekly. For parents - [Search nurseries](/search) - [Parent Hub](/parent-hub) - [Saved nurseries](/saved) - [Compare](/compare) For nurseries - [Promote Your Nursery](/for-nurseries) - [Claim a listing](/claim) - [Nursery dashboard](/owner) - [Sign in](/auth) Browse by location - [London](/nurseries/london) - [South East](/nurseries/south-east) - [North West](/nurseries/north-west) - [West Midlands](/nurseries/west-midlands) - [Yorkshire](/nurseries/yorkshire-and-the-humber) - [See all regions →](/nurseries) About - [About us](/about-us) - [Editorial policy](/parent-hub/editorial-standards) - [Contact us](/contact) - [Blog](/blog) - Data sources: Ofsted MI, GIAS [](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590427415951)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nurseryadvice-co-uk)[](https://uk.pinterest.com/NurseryAdvice/) Ofsted data & reports Inspection reports, ratings and provider details displayed on this site are sourced from [Ofsted](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/) and contain public sector information published under the [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/). Nursery Advice is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ofsted or any government body. © 2026 Better Search Limited (company no. 17209315), trading as Nursery Advice. All rights reserved. Contact: [hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk](mailto:hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk). [Terms of service](/terms)[Privacy policy](/privacy)Made for parents.