Pixley Dell Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Spennymoor for babies from a few weeks old up to school age, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 May 2024. Open since 2000, with 43 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DL16 7RSWhat 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.
- 5 August 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 9 May 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive on the warm greetings they receive from staff, who they have strong emotional attachments to. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They enjoy playing together imaginatively. For example, children make staff a pretend birthday cake in the engaging kitchen area outdoors. Staff teach children how food items contribute to living a healthy lifestyle. For example, children grow tomatoes and carrots, which will be used for their snacks and lunches. Children show awe and wonder as they observe and talk about beans they have planted to make a beanstalk. Children are sociable and exhibit excellent behaviour.
Children progress well in their learning. Staff provide them with wealth of challenging and motivating activities and outings. For example, they encourage children to explore scented play dough mixed with lemons and oranges. Staff take children on purposeful trips into the community, such as to the library and nature reserves. Young children concentrate intently as they explore water with flowers in it. Staff support children to develop their senses and talk about the scents. Children enjoy looking at their family books. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, gain a broad range of knowledge and skills for their future learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- consider more closely how to adapt group activities to ensure that all children can fully engage and benefit from the learning opportunities n provide parents with more support and advice to help guide their children's learning at home.
- 9 May 2024Good
- 6 June 2018Good
- 6 February 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Pixley Dell Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- 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.
- Do you have a place for a child of my age now? 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.