Hetton Lyons Nursery School
OutstandingBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Houghton Le Spring for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in April 2023. Open since 2005, with 25 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 Sunderland
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Sunderland 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
DH5 0AHWhat 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, 25 April 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Young children show a strong sense of belonging at this highly inclusive and welcoming nursery. The curriculum is based on building children's independence, confidence and a sense of pride. Babies explore a tray of cereal, crunching the pieces in their fists and letting them fall. Toddlers fill and empty pans with aromatic herbs and flowers, using metal ladles in the outdoor role play kitchen and pretending to make soup. They investigate exciting resources, including gloop and bubbles, using all of their senses. These experiences help to promote children's sense of wonder about the world around them and stimulate their imaginations.
Staff have high expectations of all children and intervene skilfully as they explore their surroundings. For example, babies bounce happily and join in with animal noises as staff sing 'Old MacDonald'. After a farm visit, babies enjoy looking at books about pigs, ducks, cows and sheep. This helps to promote their listening and communication skills. Toddlers celebrate their independence proudly. For instance, they declare 'I did it' as they put their boots on for outdoor play. Children have very positive attitudes to their learning and are willing to have a go.
Experienced staff nurture children's self-esteem. They help children to build resilience through many positive experiences. Children demonstrate that they feel happy and safe as they follow familiar routines. They know what is expected of them and behave very well. Staff prepare children exceptionally well for their future learning, including the move between the baby and toddler rooms.
- 25 April 2023Outstanding
- 3 October 2017Good
- 30 October 2012Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hetton Lyons Nursery School
- 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.