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Washington Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
·
4.1(13 parent reviews)
·Washington Day Nursery, Knoulberry, Washington, NE37 1HA · Sunderland
Number of places
55 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Sunderland

About this day nursery

Washington Day Nursery provides high-quality childcare and early education in Washington for children aged 0 to 5 years. The nursery fosters a home-like atmosphere with a focus on engaging activities and a spacious garden area for outdoor play.

Emphasising a perfect learning environment, the nursery supports children's development from infancy through to preparation for school. Each of the four age-grouped rooms—Buttercups (0-1 year), Daffodils (2-3 years), and Sunflower (3-5 years)—are designed to be light, airy, and equipped with age-appropriate resources.

The Buttercups room offers a relaxed environment with sensory play, while Daffodils focuses on developing independence in 2-3 year olds, including self-care skills and exploration. The Sunflower room provides a more structured routine to prepare 3-5 year olds for school, incorporating small group activities for skill development.

The nursery also boasts an impressive outdoor area developed by Infinite Playgrounds, catering to all age groups.

What it's like

The leadership and staff teams have worked hard to make necessary changes and improvements, demonstrating commitment to providing good standards of care and learning. Staff plan exciting activities, indoors and outdoors, and children show enthusiasm in their learning, developing good social skills and preparing for the next stages. Staff understand how to meet individual care and learning needs and work in partnership to support children with SEND.

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
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 07:30 to 17:30

Age range

0-5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2012

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Washington Day Nursery

Last inspected 18 September 2025 · Michelle Lorains

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

The leadership and staff teams have worked hard to make necessary changes and improvements, demonstrating commitment to providing good standards of care and learning. Staff plan exciting activities, indoors and outdoors, and children show enthusiasm in their learning, developing good social skills and preparing for the next stages. Staff understand how to meet individual care and learning needs and work in partnership to support children with SEND.

Inspector highlights

  • The leadership team has worked closely with local authority professionals and created an in-depth action plan to drive improvements.
  • The provider has ensured that arrangements to support children with SEND are effective, and staff work with other professionals to help children make progress.
  • Staff provide children with an exciting, sequenced, and balanced curriculum based on their interests and individual next steps.
  • A strong area of the curriculum is in children's personal, social, and emotional development, with staff acting as very good role models.
  • Children develop good levels of independence and self-care skills, and staff promote communication and language development.

Areas to develop

  • 1focus teaching for children who are making very good progress, to ensure their learning is extended and they maintain high levels of engagement
  • 2support staff to develop their skills to better promote children's communication and language development even further.
Inspection #10406670 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

staff are loving and attentive and have supported their children to be well prepared to start school.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff have a clear understanding of how to meet children's individual care and learning needs. They know how to work in partnership with others to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The provider has ensured that the arrangements to support children with SEND are effective.

Outdoor space

Staff plan exciting activities for children, indoors and outdoors. For instance, babies stay close to staff as they explore outdoors. Toddlers are challenged to use the balance bikes and learn how to pedal larger tractors, and staff praise children in the pre-school garden as they steer and pedal at speed without any support.

Parent Reviews of Washington Day Nursery

4.1
(13)
victoria lewis
6 months ago

My son has been attending Washington Day Nursery since he was 10 months old. From the very beginning, the girls at the nursery have been incredibly supportive and caring. He genuinely loves going in every day and has developed special bonds with his favourites. The staff have played a significant role in his development, and I feel confident and secure knowing he is well looked after. What truly stands out is the loving environment they create, everyone at the nursery knows who he is and responds warmly to him, even those outside of his room. He has a wonderful key worker who keeps me updated on his progress and development, making me feel involved and reassured about his growth. I am grateful for the supportive, nurturing, and professional team at Washington Day Nursery. I highly recommend them to any parent looking for a caring and attentive childcare setting!

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Rebecca Stokoe
6 months ago

Excellent care and support from all the staff at the nursery. Our daughter has attended since January this year, and has developed so much in her confidence and independence. Any queries we have had about her learning (specifically her speech and language) has been dealt with quickly, our minds have been put at ease, and nothing has been too much of a hassle for them. The staff are kind, friendly, and I know our daughter loves them. I was hugely nervous about her starting nursery but I’m so pleased we chose the nursery we did, and I look forward to her continuing her early stages of education with WDN.

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Holly
6 months ago

My son has attended Washington Day Nursery since 12 month old, we have had only a positive experience. We are kept updated regularly with photos and information about what he is up to during the day which I feel puts us massively at ease whilst being at work. The staff go above and beyond with communication to parents on various events across the year and they put such effort into everything they do for the children. All of the staff take the time to know all children even those they don't work closely with. My little boys progress has came on massively since he started in May, a huge part of his development I know has came from activities the staff have set up daily for the children. My child is happy and feels very comfortable with all of the staff and that is the most important thing to me when picking a nursery.

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Lindsey J
6 months ago

My little boy has attended this nursery since he was 9 month old and we love it! He has learned so much throughout his time at the setting and he has built really strong relationships with all the staff! They put so much effort into all they do, they plan great activities and always go above and beyond in making each event special for all of the children!

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Sarah
6 months ago

2 of my daughter's attended this nursery in different years due to their age gap, they both absolutely loved it. They had brilliant care from their key workers and the staff were all so friendly and caring. They learned so much in their time here and made so many friends. They were well prepared for their next step when it came to them leaving to go to school. Thank you Washington Day Nursery!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Washington Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2025

Date: October 2012

  • September 2025Good
  • May 2025Inadequate
  • October 2022Good
  • October 2016Good
  • July 2013Good
  • October 2012Good

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