Nurseries in Durham

There are 102 nurseries and pre-schools on the Ofsted register in Durham, and 12 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Durham

Ofsted report cards: 12 settings (33 Strong standard, 33 Expected standard, 6 Needs attention)
Ofsted grades before November 2025: 78 settings (17 Outstanding, 61 Good)

Grades are shown only where the inspectorate has published the report.

Childminders and home childcarers

168 registered childminders in Durham (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
16 registered home childcarers in Durham (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)

Childminders look after children in their own homes. We show how many are registered, not who they are.

Nurseries and pre-schools

Adventure Valley Day Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH1 5SG, ages 0 to 4, 86 places
Ofsted, 8 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Aycliffe Day Nursery - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4QZ, ages 1 to 10, 28 places
Ofsted, 22 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Baby Acorns - Pre-school, Bishop Auckland DL14 6PX, 6 places
Big Hands Little Hands Nursery School - Day nursery, Consett DH8 7PW, ages 0 to 4, 88 places
Ofsted, 25 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Bloemfontein Nursery - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 6AG, ages 0 to 2, 12 places
Ofsted report card, 25 August 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Brandon Happytimes Daycare - Day nursery, Brandon DH7 8NL, ages 1 to 4, 44 places
Ofsted, 2 March 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Bright Futures Ferryhill After School Club - Day nursery, Ferryhill DL17 8TB
Bright Star Nursery - Day nursery, Chester Le Street DH3 3SR, ages 0 to 11, 89 places
Ofsted, 8 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Buddies Nursery - Day nursery, Bishop Auckland DL14 7PX, ages 0 to 11, 49 places
Ofsted, 3 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Busy Bears (Durham) Ltd - Day nursery, Durham DH7 7AA, ages 0 to 5, 172 places
Ofsted, 25 July 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Busy Bees (Durham) Ltd - Day nursery, Durham DH1 5HW, ages 0 to 4, 169 places
Ofsted, 5 November 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Byerley Road Preschool - Day nursery, Shildon DL4 2DX, ages 1 to 11, 45 places
Ofsted, 18 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Castle Kindergarten - Day nursery, Haswell DH6 2DZ, ages 0 to 5, 59 places
Ofsted, 13 August 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Castle Kindergarten - Day nursery, Durham DH7 6LU, ages 0 to 4, 48 places
Ofsted, 3 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Castle View Private Day Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH3 4AF, ages 0 to 4, 135 places
Ofsted, 10 September 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Chester le Street CE Daycare - Pre-school, Chester Le Street DH2 2JT, 12 places
Chilton Happytimes Daycare - Day nursery, Ferryhill DL17 0PT, ages 0 to 5, 32 places
Ofsted, 8 April 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Clever Clogs Day Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH1 1GG, ages 0 to 10, 122 places
Ofsted, 11 June 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Clever Clogs Day Nursery Durham - Day nursery, Durham DH6 5AT, ages 0 to 10, 108 places
Ofsted, 15 March 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Conkers Life Kindergarten - Pre-school, Rowlands Gill NE39 1ND, 25 places
Coundon and Leeholme Early Years Centre - Day nursery, Coundon DL14 8NP, ages 1 to 5, 73 places
Ofsted, 15 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Craghead Childcare Centre - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 6AG, ages 0 to 4, 38 places
Ofsted, 23 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Dawn Till Dusk Childcare - Day nursery, Barnard Castle DL12 0TG, ages 0 to 2, 21 places
Ofsted, 7 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Daybreak Nursery - Day nursery, Bishop Auckland DL14 0HW, ages 0 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 18 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Dean Bank Early Years - Day nursery, Ferryhill DL17 8PH, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
Ofsted, 12 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Dream Big Nursery School - Day nursery, Chester Le Street DH2 3LN, 44 places
Durham University Day Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH1 1TA, ages 0 to 4, 90 places
Ofsted, 1 December 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Eden Garden Nursery - Day nursery, Chester Le Street DH2 1QX, ages 0 to 4, 61 places
Ofsted, 31 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Emeralds Little Gems Daycare - Crook - Day nursery, Crook DL15 9AZ, ages 0 to 4, 48 places
Ofsted, 15 July 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Emeralds Little Gems Daycare - Stanley Centre - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 0AB, ages 2 to 4, 46 places
Ofsted, 3 July 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Emeralds Little Gems Daycare - Stanley House - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 0BL, ages 0 to 3, 38 places
Ofsted, 16 November 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Explorers Day Care Limited - Day nursery, Bishop Auckland DL14 0LZ, ages 0 to 4, 111 places
Ofsted, 12 July 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
First Steps - Day nursery, Chester-le-Street DH3 4HU, ages 0 to 5, 44 places
Ofsted, 31 January 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Flowerpots - Day nursery, Bishop Auckland DL14 9RE, ages 1 to 4, 38 places
Ofsted, 20 January 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Franklin House Children's Nursery - Day nursery, Sedgefield TS21 2AG, ages 1 to 3, 40 places
Ofsted report card, 21 August 2026: Expected standard in 5 areas, Needs attention in 1 area; safeguarding standards met
Green Lane Nursery and Childcare Centre - Day nursery, Barnard Castle DL12 8LG, ages 0 to 11, 95 places
Ofsted report card, 27 November 2025: Strong standard in 4 areas, Expected standard in 2 areas; safeguarding standards met
Happy Smiles - Day nursery, Consett DH8 6TJ, ages 0 to 4, 115 places
Ofsted, 13 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Harbour View Kindergarten - Day nursery, Seaham SR7 0BN, ages 0 to 4, 80 places
Ofsted report card, 5 June 2026: Strong standard in 4 areas, Expected standard in 2 areas; safeguarding standards met
Haystacks Nursery - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6HP, ages 0 to 4, 64 places
Ofsted, 18 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Hazel Dene Childcare Ltd - Day nursery, Hartlepool TS27 4PT, ages 2 to 10, 32 places
Ofsted, 18 April 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Hippitots Limited - Day nursery, Durham DH6 4HJ, ages 1 to 10, 48 places
Ofsted, 23 June 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
House of Eden - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4SF, ages 0 to 4, 83 places
Ofsted, 17 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
House of Eden - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 7DD, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
Ofsted, 24 May 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Howletch & Shotton Primary Childcare - Day nursery, Peterlee SR8 2NQ, ages 0 to 6, 40 places
Ofsted, 11 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Jack in the Box Day Care - Day nursery, Spennymoor DL16 6EX, ages 0 to 4, 52 places
Ofsted, 2 February 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kelloe Phoenix Centre - Day nursery, Kelloe DH6 4PG, ages 1 to 4, 54 places
Ofsted, 15 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kids 1st - Durham - Day nursery, Durham DH1 5SE, ages 0 to 4, 110 places
Ofsted, 18 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kids Planet Durham - Day nursery, Durham DH7 8ER, ages 0 to 4, 74 places
Ofsted, 30 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kidzone - Day nursery, Crook DL15 9BG, ages 0 to 10, 60 places
Ofsted, 10 October 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kidz Village Nursery & Pre-School - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 8HW, ages 0 to 4, 51 places
Ofsted, 3 August 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kirklands at Startforth - Day nursery, Barnard Castle DL12 9AQ, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 26 April 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Kirk Merrington Pre-School - Pre-school, Spennymoor DL16 7JD, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
Ofsted, 7 June 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Acorns (North East) Ltd. - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 7AN, ages 1 to 4, 61 places
Ofsted report card, 6 May 2026: Expected standard in 1 area, Needs attention in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
Little Cubs Days Nursery - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6AP, ages 0 to 4, 97 places
Ofsted, 19 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Meadows Nursery - Day nursery, Barnard Castle DL12 8XT, ages 0 to 4, 48 places
Ofsted, 22 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Stars Nursery - Pre-school, Sacriston DH7 6AB, ages 2 to 4, 16 places
Ofsted, 31 March 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Waves Day Nursery - Day nursery, Seaham SR7 7SH, ages 2 to 4, 48 places
Ofsted, 26 September 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Wings - Pre-school, Durham DH6 5FP, 57 places
Mains House Nursery - Day nursery, Chester-le-Street DH3 3HL, ages 0 to 11, 36 places
Ofsted, 18 May 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Nellie's Day Nursery - Day nursery, Shildon DL4 1DU, ages 1 to 4, 75 places
Ofsted report card, 16 June 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
New Beginnings (Moorside) - Day nursery, Consett DH8 8EQ, ages 0 to 6, 32 places
Ofsted, 28 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Nurserytime - Day nursery, Willington DL15 0AA, ages 1 to 6, 89 places
Ofsted, 31 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Pixley Dell Nursery - Day nursery, Spennymoor DL16 7RS, ages 0 to 4, 43 places
Ofsted, 9 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Playdays Nursery - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 5HH, ages 0 to 5, 54 places
Ofsted, 11 April 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Playology Beach School & Learning Studio - Day nursery, Seaham SR7 7EE, ages 2 to 11, 20 places
Ofsted, 23 September 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene - Pre-school, Peterlee SR8 1NJ, ages 2 to 4, 12 places
Ofsted report card, 19 January 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Positive Steps Nursery - Day nursery, Peterlee SR8 2RN, ages 0 to 4, 58 places
Ofsted, 29 September 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Rainbow Nursery - Day nursery, Middlestone Moor DL16 7DA, ages 0 to 4, 50 places
Ofsted, 13 April 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Ribbon Daycare - Day nursery, Seaham SR7 9QR, ages 0 to 5, 79 places
Ofsted, 29 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Ribbon Daycare Fishburn - Day nursery, Stockton-on-tees TS21 4AU, ages 0 to 3, 39 places
Ofsted report card, 23 January 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Seaham Kindergarten - Day nursery, Seaham SR7 7BN, ages 0 to 8, 90 places
Ofsted, 1 June 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Selby Cottage Childcare Centre - Day nursery, Chester-le-Street DH2 2EY, ages 0 to 11, 77 places
Ofsted, 24 June 2025: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Shildon Early Years - Day nursery, Shildon DL4 1HN, ages 2 to 4, 28 places
Ofsted report card, 17 September 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
Shining Stars Nursery - Day nursery, Coxhoe DH6 4JH, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 4 June 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Shotley Bridge Nursery School Limited - Day nursery, Consett DH8 8LY, ages 0 to 3, 98 places
Ofsted report card, 7 September 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Shotton Children's Centre - Day nursery, Shotton Colliery DH6 2JP, ages 0 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 7 June 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Stagecoach Performing Arts Chester Le Street - Pre-school, Chester Le Street DH3 3QA
Stepping Stones Day Nursery Durham Ltd - Day nursery, Durham DH1 4HF, ages 1 to 4, 22 places
Ofsted, 30 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
St Hild's Bright Beginnings - Pre-school, Durham DH1 2HZ, 9 places
St Oswald's Pre-School - Day nursery, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4BG, ages 2 to 4, 52 places
Ofsted, 20 January 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
The Hive Quarters - Day nursery, Spennymoor DL16 6PP
The Laurels Child Care - Day nursery, Durham DH1 2EY, ages 0 to 4, 34 places
Ofsted, 14 December 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
The Louisa Centre Nursery - Day nursery, Stanley DH9 0TE, ages 0 to 4, 42 places
Ofsted, 16 February 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
The Sunshine Day Nursery - Day nursery, Peterlee SR8 5UD, ages 0 to 10, 66 places
Ofsted, 26 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
The Sunshine Day Nursery @ Seascape Children's Centre - Day nursery, Peterlee SR8 5NJ, ages 1 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 29 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
The Sunshine Nursery - Day nursery, Peterlee SR8 5RL, ages 0 to 4, 62 places
Ofsted, 11 November 2021: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Tilly-Mints Cherubs Day Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Consett DH8 0BH, ages 0 to 4, 75 places
Ofsted, 30 July 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Tiny Tinkers Nursery - Day nursery, Houghton Le Spring DH4 6DS, ages 0 to 4, 36 places
Ofsted, 11 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Tots 'R' Us Nursery - Pre-school, Seaham SR7 8DX, ages 2 to 4, 21 places
Ofsted, 7 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Trimdon's Little Tykes Ltd - Day nursery, Trimdon Station TS29 6QH, ages 0 to 4, 22 places
Ofsted, 3 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Tudhoe Moor Nursery Pre-School - Pre-school, Tudhoe Moor DL16 6EX, 9 places
Westfield House Nursery - Day nursery, Crook DL15 8JL, ages 0 to 4, 49 places
Ofsted report card, 11 August 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Wheatley Hill Community Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH6 3JS, 35 places
Wheatley Hill Community Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Wheatley Hill DH6 3RT, ages 0 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 12 December 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Wingate Childcare in Nature - Day nursery, Wingate TS28 5AL, 48 places
Wingate Community Childcare Ltd - Day nursery, Wingate TS28 5BD, ages 0 to 4, 49 places
Ofsted, 29 August 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Witton Gilbert Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH7 6TF, ages 3 to 4, 18 places
Ofsted, 6 December 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Woodlands Day Nursery - Day nursery, Durham DH7 8XQ, ages 0 to 3, 55 places
Ofsted, 21 August 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Yellow Wellies - Day nursery, Durham DH1 4SG, ages 0 to 4, 52 places
Ofsted, 5 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Yellow Wellies - Day nursery, Bishop Auckland DL14 6HX, ages 0 to 4, 100 places
Ofsted, 27 March 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
York House Nursery - Day nursery, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NX, ages 0 to 10, 72 places
Ofsted, 27 August 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Your Co-Op Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-School Seaham - Day nursery, Seaham SR7 7EU, ages 1 to 4, 65 places
Ofsted report card, 14 September 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

Bullion Hall - Out-of-school club, Chester Le Street DH2 2ES
Burnopfield Play Care - Out-of-school club, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE16 6PT, 30 places
Busy Bees (Durham) Limited - Dragonfly Club - Out-of-school club, Durham DH1 5BG, 70 places
Canterbury Kids Club - Out-of-school club, Durham DH1 5XT, 30 places
Cestria Extra - Out-of-school club, Chester Le Street DH3 3PZ, 90 places
First Class Learning Chester Le Street - Out-of-school club, Chester Le Street DH2 2ES
Kip McGrath Chester le Street - Out-of-school club, Chester Le Street DH3 3EZ
Mains House @ Red Rose - Out-of-school club, Chester Le Street DH3 3NA, 32 places
Sedgefield Out Of School Fun Club - Out-of-school club, Sedgefield TS21 2BJ, 53 places
Shotley Bridge After School Club - Out-of-school club, Consett DH8 0NW, 50 places
The Hive Quarters TYP - Out-of-school club, Spennymoor DL16 7NB
The Valley Kids Club at Newker Primary - Out-of-school club, Chester le Street DH2 3AA, 48 places

Nursery groups with settings here

Durham County Council (4 here)
Emeralds Little Gems Daycare Limited (3 here)
Katherine Hardman & Anne Arrowsmith Partnership (3 here)
Castle Kindergarten Limited (2 here)
Clever Clogs Day Nurseries Limited (2 here)
Daypark Ltd (2 here)
Playology Limited (2 here)
Busy Bees Nurseries Limited (1 here)
Kids Planet Day Nurseries Limited (1 here)
Northumbrian Trust Day Nurseries Limited (1 here)
Nurserytime Ltd (1 here)
Places For Children (PFP) Limited (1 here)
Rascals Playtime Childcare Limited (1 here)
The Early Learning Partnership Limited (1 here)

Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)

Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.

The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.

Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.

Source: Ofsted reports

Ofsted grades before November 2025 (England)

Inspections before November 2025 gave one overall grade on a four-point scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, Inadequate. Ofsted also graded the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, and said whether safeguarding was effective.

Settings keep their last grade until Ofsted visits again, so many nurseries still show a grade from this older scale.

Source: Ofsted reports

Funded childcare hours in England

All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.

The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.

Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)

Towns in Durham

Schools in Durham

Schools in Durham
Langley Moor Nursery School - Nursery
All Saints' Catholic Primary School, Lanchester - Primary
Bearpark Primary School - Primary
Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School - Primary
Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School - Primary
Blue Coat CofE (Aided) Junior School - Primary
Brandon Primary Academy - Primary
Burnhope Primary School - Primary
Cassop Primary School - Primary
Coxhoe Primary School - Primary
Durham Gilesgate Primary School - Primary
Durham Newton Hall Infants' School - Primary

Sources: Ofsted, registers as at 30 June 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.