The Bungalow Pre-school
OutstandingBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in South Shields for children from birth to 8+, open 08:30 to 17:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in October 2022. Open since 2013, 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 South Tyneside
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in South Tyneside 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
NE34 8PSWhat 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, 6 October 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff and children form excellent relationships at this very inclusive and friendly setting. Staff know children exceptionally well. They support them to take turns, as they choose where they want to play next and who with. Staff share story books with children about being kind and talk to them about the different emotions they feel. Staff remind children gently of the rules of the setting. They talk about 'kind hands' and encourage children to take turns, as they stretch and hammer dough with rolling pins and wooden mallets. Children have the chance to become a 'star of the week'. This helps to raise their confidence and self-esteem.
Children are growing rapidly in independence. They put on and take off their own coats, shoes and aprons. Staff have created a 'snuffle station' with a mirror, so children can see to wipe their own noses. They encourage children to fetch their own water from the water butt, as they dig with soil and plant seeds outside in the enclosed garden. Children find their own photos to peg onto a washing line when they arrive. This helps create feelings of belonging and ownership. When children are able, they move on to identify their names, rather than their picture. Stable daily routines help children to feel emotionally secure. Staff alert children to changes in routines by using a tambourine. Children are actively involved in this and choose whether to use a bigger or smaller instrument.
- 6 October 2022Outstanding
- 18 November 2016Good
- 25 November 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Bungalow 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.