Selby Cottage Childcare Centre
Outstanding★ 5.0 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Chester-Le-Street for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2012, with 77 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
DH2 2EYWhat 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, 24 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children flourish in this exciting and stimulating setting. They develop remarkably strong bonds with the caring and nurturing staff. Staff provide children with an exceptional range of opportunities both indoors and in the extensive outdoor areas.
For example, staff teach children how to safely use a range of tools to develop their woodwork skills. This provides an excellent opportunity for children to develop their fine muscle skills and encourages creative and critical thinking.
The extremely skilled staff actively promote a nurturing and engaging environment by meticulously planning activities based on children's interests and developmental stages. For instance, babies are highly engaged as they explore a wide range of sieves, ladles and utensils in the walk-in sand pit. Their communication and language development are skilfully supported as staff instinctively respond to younger babies' babbles. Toddlers repeat new words such as 'Jackdaw' as they look for birds during their 'Nurture through nature' sessions within forest school.
- 24 June 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 12 November 2019Good
- 23 November 2012Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Selby Cottage Childcare Centre
- 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.