Durham University Day Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Durham for children from birth to 5, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2022. Open since 2003, with 90 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DH1 1TAWhat 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.
- 18 September 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 1 December 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are inspired and thrive at this outstanding nursery, and they are placed at the heart of its care. Children show how much they enjoy attending the nursery through their smiles, giggles and positive attitudes to learning. They enter the setting happily and confidently. Staff are very attentive, considerate and caring towards children. Children develop exceptionally strong and trusting bonds with their key person and other staff members, who are caring and patient in their approach. This helps to foster children's feelings of safety and security and enables them to quickly engage in nursery life.
Children's behaviour is excellent. They are aware of the rules and expectations of the nursery and show high regard to staff and each other. For example, during group activities, children demonstrate their understanding of what is expected of them as they sit and listen to staff and their peers. Staff are extremely positive role models and have high expectations of children's behaviour. They reinforce positive behaviour with praise and reassurance. This builds children's self-esteem and confidence exceptionally well.
Children benefit from staff who know them very well. Staff plan a varied, ambitious and interesting educational programme that fully supports all areas of learning.
- 1 December 2022Outstanding
- 15 February 2017Good
- 17 June 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Durham University Day 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.