Durham University Day Nursery

This is a wonderful nursery. My daughter went there from 6 months till she went to school. The staff are outstanding and professional. The Facilities may be less than ideal, but there are plans to move to a better place. But overall, the nursery is truly excellent.

Our child went to Durham Day Nursery when he was about one all the way until he turned 5. It was a fantastic experience, they really worked with him to make sure he was doing well and went above and beyond. Lots of extra activities like swim lessons were available. They made sure to address his individual needs and sometimes shaped the learning around what he was interested in. We were kept well informed about what was going on at the nursery and anything our son might need to work on or be excited about. A strong effort was made around school preparation.

We have been extremely pleased with this nursery. I have had full confidence in them. My daughter was very happy there and she did not even want to go home sometimes. It has everything we asked for. The teachers were very attentive and kind. I wish we could continue there for a few more years. The games they played also contributed immensely to my daughter's social skills.

Couldn't recommend highly enough to any potential parent looking at nurseries around the County Durham area.

We were very keen to ensure our children had a wholesome experience in nursery and the 'feel' of this nursery could not be more different from the more corporate offerings available. Our children have attended from not long after their 1st birthdays with our eldest having just left to start school. Over that time, not only have the children developed strong relationships with the staff but so have we as parents. They are open to discussing any worries or concerns and are genuinely supportive and caring to both children and parents. The children have been exposed to some brilliant experiences both inside (baking, growing vegetables and looking after animals) and outside (trips to the library, theatre and forest school) of the nursery. We honestly cannot recommend the nursery enough and regard sending our 2 children there as one of our better parenting decisions!

We have used the nursery since 2019. Our children (1 and 4) both love going to nursery, and we feel that the staff are an important part of our extended family and support network. All of the staff, including those working on reception and in the kitchen, know the children and create a positive atmosphere. The children experience many activities that we wouldn't have the time or space (or capability!) to do at home, and we love to see their adventures on the secure online system. From incubating chicks and hatching butterflies to baking and picnics, and a recent trip to the theatre, there is always something going on. We love the outdoor space and the fact that they play out all weathers. Our use of cloth nappies and reusable wipes has been embraced with ease. The staff are open and responsive, so we feel respected and involved as parents. We would definitely recommend the nursery to others.

Our eldest daughter attended Durham University Day Nursery since she was about 9 months old until she started school in September and her younger sister is currently following in her footsteps at the nursery. The staff have been amazing in supporting both the children and the parents. Both our girls have always been very happy to go to nursery in the morning and have lots of fun and lots of cuddles while they are there. The activities proposed to the children are great and represent an age-appropriate challenge to promote their development and independence. I love and look forward to each parent event, which is an opportunity to share the nursery fun with your child. We are very satisfied with this provider and we would recommend it to any other parents who are looking for a warm and stimulating environment for their little ones.

My son attended the nursery from September 2021 to August 2022. He was new to the nursery system, the city and the country. The teachers, and especially his key person, did a great job helping him settle in and get comfortable. They showed a willingness to work with me on any concerns I shared. The variety of activities, the resources available to my child, the caring manner of the staff and the overall administration of the place were all great. My child had a great time after he got comfortable and familiar with the routine. He particularly enjoyed the outdoor activities including building, water play and the mud kitchen. He also enjoyed the loft area and books at the nursery. The lovely "graduation ceremony" was a great experience and a memorable day for our family. Thanks to all the lovely ladies who take care of my child and showed him love and care while focusing on his learning and growth.

Although my children only attended this nursery (so I can't speak for other nurseries nearby), my mother was a nursery carer in Australia and when she visited me, she mentioned that we were lucky to find such a special nursery like this.

Our daughter has attended this nursery since she was 11 months old and has just left to go to school (our younger daughter is still attending). The staff are extremely dedicated and passionate and have been wonderful all the way through, and they have formed excellent relationships with our children. The nursery has provided a nurturing and loving environment in which our children have truly thrived and (Covid permitting) they regularly organise events that involve parents. Our daughters have always been enthusiastic to attend and transitions between rooms have been handled very smoothly. Communication with the nursery has been excellent throughout (both in person and through the online diary) and we have always had a chance to have a chat with the friendly staff at handover. Overall, we've had an excellent experience and would highly recommend the nursery to anyone.

My daughter attended the nursery from 9 months, until two and a half years, and she loved her time there. She spoke really fondly of all the staff and made great friends. In the mornings, she would wake excited to go to nursery and run in to see everyone. The staff at the nursery make it really special. We always felt they genuinely cared about our daughter and our daughter clearly felt really happy in their care. The different activities and events, including, for example, football time and Mother's Day celebrations, are great. It will be difficult to find another nursery like this one and we will miss it!

My daughter attended Durham University Day Nursery for four weeks while we were on an extended work trip. The orientation and transition was made as smooth as possible for her and she settled in very quickly. All staff were great, very welcoming and flexible. Our daughter particularly enjoyed the daily art and outdoor activities.

Wonderful nursery, the staff are amazing, always lots going on for the children. The transition between different rooms and key workers is really well handled, and we get lots of updates and pictures via the app so we can see what they've been up to every day.