Hippitots Limited
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Durham for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 17:45, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2022. Open since 2002, with 48 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DH6 4HJWhat 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, 23 June 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this family-orientated nursery. Babies benefit from a small homefrom-home environment, where staff focus on babies' individual care and learning needs. For example, staff gather detailed information from parents when they arrive. If babies arrive tired, they adapt their routine to provide opportunities for extended sleep. Children are very happy in the nursery. Older children thoroughly enjoy making 'cement' and building a museum outside. Two-year-old children demonstrate they are happy as they talk confidently to staff as they turn a cardboard box into a bus. Parents comment that their children are very happy in the nursery. Children behave well. They are polite and well mannered. At mealtimes, children say please and thank you. Three-year-old children politely ask older children for help with the masking tape. They remember to thank children for their help.
Staff have high expectations for children's achievement. Older children learn to write their name in preparation for school. They demonstrate an in-depth understanding of books, including an understanding that text is read from left to right and from top to bottom. Children are safe in the setting. Staff ensure that all children have suntan lotion on before going outside. Older children learn to negotiate stairs safely as they go out to play in the garden.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen supervision sessions and monitoring procedures to swiftly identify and address the minor inconsistencies in staff practice n help children to maintain high levels of engagement throughout the routines, particularly during group activities.
- 23 June 2022Good
- 18 June 2014Outstanding
- 20 October 2009Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hippitots Limited
- 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.