Mowden Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Darlington for children from birth to 5, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023. Open since 1999, with 20 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 Darlington
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Darlington 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
DL3 9QGWhat 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, 12 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle quickly into this exceptionally well-resourced and welcoming environment. Staff know children very well and ensure that their favourite resources are available from the very moment their day begins. This helps children to feel safe and secure in the pre-school. Staff are skilled practitioners. For example, they know when to stand back to give children the opportunities to demonstrate their can-do attitude to learning. Children show a determination to succeed as they act out the story of the 'Giant Turnip'. Children plan together how to get a weighted sack of imaginary turnips onto a barrow. They decide where to position themselves to hold the sack and that all children need to pull the sack at the same time. Children respond with beaming smiles at the very genuine praise staff give them for their achievements.
Children have many opportunities to learn about the natural world. Staff and children engage together in hunting for insects. Staff encourage children to use their thinking skills as they discuss together where the insects might be living in the garden. They remind children to handle the insects carefully as children place the insects onto their hands. Children show high levels of respect towards each other.
They willingly share resources and invite children into their play. When required, staff very gently remind children of the rules and boundaries. They encourage children to think about the impact of their actions on children and adults.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to be consistent in developing children's mathematical understanding, particularly children's understanding of numbers and counting n review the organisation of some daily routines to ensure that all opportunities are consistently used to extend and develop children's learning.
- 12 July 2023Good
- 11 December 2017Good
- 11 July 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Mowden Pre-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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.