Chilton Happytimes Daycare
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Ferryhill for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2024. Open since 2009, with 32 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DL17 0PTWhat 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, 8 April 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle quickly as they arrive at the nursery and display a firm sense of belonging. Staff pride themselves in providing a high level of support and attention for children in their care, which helps children to thrive. Children are safe and secure. They have the freedom to explore in their play. This helps them to build confidence in their new skills and learning. Staff role model the behaviours and attitudes they expect. This helps children to develop high levels of resilience and understand how to manage their own emotions. Children are kind and caring. They begin to understand and recognise the differences and similarities in themselves and others.
Children are excited learners. They benefit greatly from the wealth of activities and resources available. Children eagerly participate in planned activities and in the wide range of resources staff provide for them. They have free access to a rich learning environment outdoors. Older children are very independent. Staff support babies to help them to quickly develop these skills. For instance, children confidently access their coats and support their peers to understand why they need their coats.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- build on the knowledge gained from professional development to help to raise the standards of teaching to the highest level n plan more effectively for the most-able children to help them to make the very best possible progress in their mathematical development.
- 8 April 2024Good
- 5 June 2018Good
- 10 November 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Chilton Happytimes Daycare
- 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.