The Grove Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Chester Le Street 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 February 2023. Open since 2007, 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 Gateshead
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Gateshead 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
DH3 2LNWhat 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, 8 February 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children clearly enjoy spending time at this warm, welcoming setting. They excitedly run in to greet staff, who provide them with cuddles and reassurance.
Children use techniques, including pictures and name cards, to self-register. This helps to develop a sense of belonging. Staff provide a wide range of exciting and interesting activities. Children quickly become actively engaged and motivated in their self-chosen play. For instance, they concentrate as they investigate lemon, limes and oranges in water. They excitedly discuss textures and smells. Staff introduce a pestle and mortar and explain how to squeeze and squash the fruit.
This helps to develop children's fine muscle skills.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to implement the curriculum intent more sharply to build on what children already know and can do n consider how routines can be better organised without disrupting children's learning.
- 8 February 2023Good
- 20 June 2017Outstanding
- 6 May 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Grove 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.