Denton Island Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Newhaven for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2025. Open since 2004, with 61 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in East Sussex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in East Sussex from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BN9 9BAWhat 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, 28 January 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy and are welcomed by the caring and friendly staff. Leaders and staff take the time to get to know children and families. For example, they meet with parents to discuss children's needs and work in partnership to settle them into nursery. Children show that they feel safe and emotionally secure. For instance, they confidently move around the environment engaging in activities and enjoy cuddles with staff when needed. Staff interact with babies warmly during care routines, such as meal and rest times. Children thrive with the care they receive from the professional, kind and dedicated staff.
Staff's support for children's individual learning is strong. Activities are accessible and engaging and meet all children's needs, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, children enjoy working together to build a tunnel for the toy cars to go through. Staff weave mathematical language into their interactions with children. For instance, children excitedly find gems hidden in the sand. Staff talk to them about the different sizes and how many they have. This supports children to make good progress.
Staff act as good role models. They support children to develop good friendships.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support children's independence skills further, so they learn about the importance of taking responsibility for their environment - strengthen the organisation of group times, to ensure children benefit fully from the intended learning.
- 28 January 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 13 June 2019Good
- 1 May 2013Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Denton Island 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.