Footsteps to Dolphin Street
OutstandingBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Newcastle upon Tyne for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 16:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2024. Open since 2014, with 30 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 Newcastle upon Tyne
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Newcastle upon Tyne 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
NE4 8AZWhat 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, 9 December 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children's learning and development is extremely well supported at this very inclusive setting. Relationships between staff and children are wonderful. Staff are very patient, calm and understanding. They work hard to include all children in every aspect of the nursery day, with care and respect. Children are very settled, happy and secure. They delight in their play, such as when they explore with flour and water. Children are focused and willing to have a go.
There is a very strong focus on positive reinforcement. Staff praise and encourage children. This helps to raise children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff place stickers on a 'superstar' chart to help children to recognise when they are being helpful and kind to others. Children are encouraged to do the same for staff. Staff help children to feel secure by using pictures to help them to understand the daily routine and what is going to happen next. They support children to take part in 'big movement time' before sitting to help them to settle, focus and be ready to learn.
There is outstanding support for children to help them to explore and manage their feelings and emotions. Staff encourage children throughout the day to think about and express how they are feeling. Staff help children to calm themselves through breathing techniques. They let children know that their emotions are natural and valid.
- 9 December 2024Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 20 March 2019Outstanding
- 7 March 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Footsteps to Dolphin Street
- 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.