Buddies Nursery
Good★ 4.2 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Bishop Auckland for children from birth to 8+, open 07:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. Open since 2017, with 49 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DL14 7PXWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 3 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this welcoming nursery. The manager has a clear intent for what she wants children to learn and shares this effectively across the team. This gives children the knowledge and skills they need for future learning. Children are happy, safe and have a strong sense of belonging. They have close relationships with staff. Babies climb onto the laps of staff for a cuddle.
They smile and snuggle closely to share books. Older children hold the hands of visitors to lead them to an area they want to share. They ask them where they are going if they move away.
Staff meet the individual needs of children very well. For example, staff ensure that babies' home routines are followed exceptionally well. They play familiar sounds, such as white noise, in the background, which helps babies to settle in their cots.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- extend children's communication skills even further by helping them to learn new vocabulary n extend the learning opportunities outdoors to fully support children under the age of two.
- 3 May 2023Good
- 29 August 2017Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Buddies Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.