Little Cubs Days Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Newton Aycliffe for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2023. Open since 2009, with 97 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DL5 6APWhat 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, 19 January 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy and eager to start their day in the nursery. They are safe, secure and display trusting bonds with the staff team. New children and babies are supported well to settle into the nursery routine, and immediately seek the reassurance of their key person if they become unsure or upset. Children are building on their own independence as they independently dress for outside play, with older and more-able children supporting the younger children. At mealtimes, babies use spoons, with increasing skill in learning to feed themselves and drink from lidded cups.
Children are confident and self-assured. They enjoy the many activities and play opportunities provided for them. Children play outdoors in all weathers to support their learning and well-being. Babies use their increasing balance as they crawl and walk around, and older children negotiate space as they use wheeled toys and bicycles. Children are learning about the wider world around them as staff maximise the facilities within the building. They take children to the café where they buy drinks and sit in together. Children involve their peers in their play and this helps all children to build important social skills.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- extend children's communication and language skills through the use of moredescriptive language to widen the breadth of vocabulary n consider the organisation of group activities to allow children who are motivated to learn to join the activity.
- 19 January 2023Good
- 3 May 2017Good
- 13 March 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Cubs Days 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
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