Day Nurseries Owned by ICP Educare in Durham

My daughter started at the Nursery in May 2026. The staff were fantastic with her transition into nursery, they understood how daunting it is for parents and for the child and we're really good at reassuring me and keeping me up to date so that I felt confident she was settled. The staff are honest when she has been unsettled but always highlight the positives of her day. The staff utilise the Famly app really well keeping it up to date throughout the day and I really enjoy seeing pictures of my daughter and getting to know how her day is going. I really like the open door policy at the nursery, I am always welcomed in to collect her from her room with the staff she has been with and feel reassured that they are happy for parents to see what goes on in the nursery. Recently my daughter had a reaction to her vaccination and I was really happy with the nursery's prompt response informing me and letting me know how she was. I have nothing but positives to say about the nursery.

All members that I have meet are all very friendly filling me with all the confidence I need for my son....he goes in with a friendly smile greeted by the most lovely staff like hes part of there family fills me reassurance for the rest of the day...give you so much information verbally and on the app with the most beautiful pictures... of what they have been up too...love this nursery so lucky to have my boy here

I alway wanted a nursery I'd want to be at myself and I've found that here

Shotley bridge is a fantastic nursery and I'm so glad that our son attends. The staff go above and beyond every single day and I cannot fault them over these last few months. They are supportive and caring and I have no doubt that they are meeting my son's needs. They support his development and he has came on so much since starting in April. The communication is fanastic and I love the app which they use to keep us updated on our son's day. I would recommend this nursery to anyone and I sing the staffs praises every day.

Amazing staff truly respect every childs needs and individuality. My son has been attending over a years now and absolutely loves it. All the staff get to know your child and everyone knows them by name the space is open warm welcoming and the cleaning standards are extremely high. Wide range of hot food and snacks on offer every day. There are lots are various toys and activities for the children to do including messy play outdoor activities and picnics on the grass, Trips out to the park and to see local sights. Id recommend Shotley Bridge Nursery to everyone. We are currently preparing to transition to the next room and the nursery have clearly explained how this works and keep me up to date daily on how his visits are going Thank you Nikki

It's so reassuring to know they are in such caring, capable hands. I can't recommend the nursery highly enough.

A warm, nurturing nursery that has been perfect for our daughter since she joined at 9 months old. Her personality and little quirks are genuinely valued - the staff know what makes her laugh, what comforts her, and what sparks her curiosity. She's loved by everyone, and it shows in how confidently she runs in each morning, excited for the day ahead. Real-life experiences and thoughtful home-nursery links help her interests grow, and we've seen her develop so quickly. The food choices are excellent, and they've been incredibly supportive and proactive with her allergies. The staff are caring, trustworthy, and always ready with advice or a reassuring chat. The Famly app is a joy to check, giving us a lovely window into her play, learning, and routines. We feel incredibly lucky to have a setting where she is understood, encouraged, and truly able to flourish.

Our son Alfie (23 months) started in the Streams Room just over a year ago, and we honestly couldn't have chosen a better place for him. Under the safe, nurturing care of Miss Wheatley and the incredible team, he has absolutely flourished.

In such a short time, Alfie has made amazing progress both physically and academically. His speech has developed in huge leaps - he's now confidently stringing sentences together - and his confidence has grown so much. He's learning vital life skills including independence, friendships, dining skills, understanding risk and reward, and even sign language.

The care, patience and dedication shown by the Streams team during such an important stage of his development has meant the world to us. As he transitions into the Rivers Room, we feel so proud and incredibly grateful. Thank you for everything you do - you truly make a difference every single day.

The team provide a caring, engaging environment with plenty of creative activities, and we especially value the structured mealtimes which have made such a positive difference to our child's routine. We feel completely confident in the care they provide and would happily recommend them.

I don't even know where to begin with this review. I cannot speak highly enough of all at Shotley Bridge Nursery School (SBNS). My daughter is fed by gastrostomy and has other medical needs. The nursery have been fantastic since day 1, they have gone above and beyond for my daughter. They have worked with the community nurses to be fully trained in looking after her. Nothing has ever been a problem. The communication with them is second to none. Before starting nursery, she had a severe oral aversion. She ate nothing. Since going to nursery she now eats meals and snacks! Even the speech and language therapist is amazed at the difference they've made. My daughter absolutely loves going to nursery, she has so many different experiences such as going to the park, walks and sensory activities. The setting is fabulously clean, warm and engaging for all. The staff are approachable, compassionate, polite and professional. I can honestly say they've changed our lives for the better!

Absolutely amazing nursery. From the very get go, my little one has been made to feel welcome and more importantly, at home. The ladies provide fantastic stimulating activities for my little one, which have brought him on leaps and bounds. From singing, to reading and learning through play. We are so blessed as a family to have such an amazing setting within our local area.

We're so grateful to have found such a fantastic nursery and would wholeheartedly recommend it.

We couldn't be happier to send our 1 year old to Shotley Bridge Nursery School. Staff went above and beyond to help him to settle in his first weeks, got to know him quickly and showed genuine care and empathy. Their daily updates on the Famly app are reassuring and help us to feel comfortable and connected to our child despite being apart. We can see his confidence growing each week as his connection to his key person and other staff grows. The nursery itself is clean, inviting and like a wellness retreat for children! We feel really fortunate to have it on our doorstep.

Our child is growing, learning, and feels so secure here! Would highly recommend this nursery!!

Shotley Bridge Nursery School have always had a fantastic reputation hence why I decided to bring my 1 year old here. She is flourishing and developing well in all areas, always smiling and laughing in the photos that are sent to me on their Famly app. She really enjoys going to nursery and that is because of the amazing support the staff provide. They are passionate about ensuring the children are safe and happy at nursery and always go above and beyond to support parents in need. Overall they are an incredible nursery who I would 100% recommend to anyone.

My daughter absolutely loves going to nursery. She started in September 2025 and her transition there was so smooth. It really helped me get back into work. Staff clearly adore her and nurture her development. It's lovely to see photos of how much fun she's having in the day. The staff enrich her learning and she's often going on outdoor adventures or learning a new song to sing when she comes home.

I couldn't be happier with the care and support my child receives at this nursery. From the moment we first visited, the team made us feel welcome, reassured, and confident that our little one would be in safe hands.

The team are genuinely caring and attentive, taking the time to get to know each child as an individual. They've created such a nurturing environment where my child feels happy, settled and excited to go in each day. It's clear how passionate they are about child development - they celebrate every milestone, encourage curiosity, get families involved where they can, and always keep me up to date on how my child is doing. Receiving the updates via the app is the highlight of my day as a working mum!

Miss Bennett, our child's key person, really stands out as being supportive. Asking our questions immediately, scheduling a catch up meeting if needed, and always being therefore to offer reassurance. I'm truely grateful for all that Miss Bennett and the team do!

Shotley Bridge nursery has been such a lovely and caring place for my little boy, who had no prior experience in care or away from me (his mother). I feel he is cared for and loved there by the staff and his peers. They have helped him become more comfortable in a social setting and boosted his confidence in play, friend making and his emotional skills.

The learning style at Shotley Bridge Nursery School is exceptional. It strikes the perfect balance between structured learning and creative, play-based exploration. Activities are thoughtfully planned to spark curiosity and build confidence, helping children develop early literacy, numeracy, and communication skills in a way that feels natural and fun. What stands out most is the strong focus on life skills. The nursery doesn't just prepare children academically; it teaches them how to be kind, independent, and resilient.

I hand on heart could not recommend Shotley bridge nursery school enough. My son is autistic and non-verbal, and the thought of leaving him in someone's care while he can't tell me how his day has been can seem daunting. From the start, the staff, and in particular his 1:1 key worker, have been nothing short of amazing. I've been constantly made to feel completely at ease and up to date on everything my son gets up to day to day and regularly with meetings and reviews. They have built up such an amazing bond with both myself and my son, and really took the time to acknowledge him individually to what he likes / dislikes, learn how to manage any situations where he is uncomfortable / overwhelmed, changed routines all in order to make him feel safe and secure in their care. I genuinely hope every SEN parent gets to experience the same level of care and comfort I have with my little boy and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone and everyone.