Kids 1st Darlington

Alderman Leach Drive, Darlington DL2 2GF
Review Us
8.0 57 Reviews
  • Kids 1st Darlington, Darlington
Kids 1st Darlington is a modern and flexible nursery that looks to treat every child as an individual throughout their early years, while supporting parents in a friendly and welcoming manner.

Staff are well-qualified and respect the need for professionalism in all areas of childcare, with parents' confidence and peace of mind a core element of the service.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Gerry Chapman (Centre Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 40

Total Places for Children

  • 108

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Kids 1st Darlington Reviews (57)

8.0

Kids 1st Darlington has a Review Score of 8.0 (8.046) out of 10, based on 1 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Kids 1st Darlington has 57 reviews.

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Total of 57, showing 21-40
Review from Tamara K (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing staff, excellent food, fantastic management. My little one loves coming in. I feel I trust the staff implicitly with my little one. My older son comes here so I had no worries sending my youngest son. I wouldn't send him anywhere else!!


The activities and learning opportunities are great,

I love this place!


A**** nursery by far.

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Review from Kirsty H (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington are truly amazing. My two children have both attended this nursery from being nine months old and are thriving as a result. Each and every member of staff is exceptional and it's clear they all love what they do. I have always felt 100% confident knowing I am leaving them in a loving,
nurturing and secure environment. Thank you Kids 1st Darlington, we are all going to miss you very much!
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Review from Vicky W (Mother of Child) published on 14 July 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little girl started with Kids 1st Darlington at 20months, and today was her final day at 4 years and 9 months. She has loved every moment of her time with the team at Kids 1st, learning so much, having so much fun and making some fantastic friends. The whole team provide excellent care and have a
real dedication for every child in their care.
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Review from Steve M (Father of Child) published on 14 July 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My boy leaves this wonderful place in August to start big school, and I have to say I wished he could stay at Kids 1st Darlington forever! For nearly 3 years the manager and her team have looked after him and helped him flourish into the kind, healthy, inquisitive, intelligent and helpful boy we now
have. Kids 1st fully understand individual child needs and play on their strengths whilst encouraging all areas of their development. Communication with parents is exceptional we are kept fully up to date with current activity and we are encouraged to participate with his homework. There is significant attention to nutrition at meal and snack times which as a parent we feel strongly about. Key workers play an integral part of his learning and liaise with us directly to raise any concerns through observation within day to day activities such as thinking time(discipline) or general interaction with his friends.
To summarise, I'm so glad Kids 1st Darlington has been part of our lives.
Thanks.
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Review from Sarah L (Mother of Child) published on 13 July 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are about to leave nursery in next few weeks to start school age 4.5. We started here when daughter was age 9 months so have been through every class.
This nursery is excellent and I would recommend to anyone to come and look around. The nursery itself facilities wise is brilliant but the staff
and manager are what make it, they are all absolutely fantastic to both the children as well as being an excellent support to parents.
Fabulous nursery and very sad to leave!
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Review from K B (Mother of Child) published on 3 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery. Purpose built, clean but warm and friendly. Staff are amazing and treat the children like their own. My daughter loves the girls who work in the room. Even when my daughter is poorly, I have no hesitation as to sending her to nursery as I know she will be looked after and given cuddles
and attention just like I would at home. So pleased I chose to send her here.
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Review from K E (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I always feel one hundred percent happy and confident in leaving my daughter at nursery knowing that she will be safe and happy in Kids 1st care! I can't tell you how reassured this makes me feel.
In seahorse 1, I feel that my daughters needs are at the forefront and she is treated as an individual
which working in nurseries I know is crucial! My daughter is always excited, happy and confident when going to nursery which in my eyes speaks volumes.
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Review from Jenna C (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent Nursery with excellent staff. Both of my children have and love coming to Kids 1st and have come on so much since they have started! They went in with a smile and came/come home with a smile.
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Review from G C (Father of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my son's go to Kids 1st Darlington. They are friendly and very professional.
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Review from J G (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am 100% satisfied with the care my son and daughter receive at Kids 1st Darlington. Staff are nurturing, loving and show a genuine interest in the children. Communication is excellent. The management team are friendly and approachable and always accommodate our evolving needs. I would not hesitate
to highly recommend this nursery to family and friends.
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Review from Angela G (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at Kids 1st since he was a baby. We love the nursery and would never go anywhere else. The manager and her staff are awesome. They make you feel welcome as soon as you enter the building. The rooms and facilities are of a high standard and can clearly see why they are 'outstanding' Ofsted
rated.
The meals are of a high standard also and there is plenty of choice and variation. Also I love the coffee to go on a morning with a biscuit or cake slice! My son is two and his development has progressed greatly. He can recite nursery rhymes and stories, count up to 20 and has great imaginative play. Fantastic job Kids 1st Darlington. Thank you!
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Review from Iain R (Father of Child) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A brilliant company oriented to working parents with lovely caring staff. Slightly more expensive that others you get what you pay for. I would definitely recommend to other parents.
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Review from L E (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st nursery at Darlington has an incredible set of staff who go above and beyond. The staff are friendly, polite and provide excellent activities on a daily basis. Nothing is ever a trouble even on a busy day. The food provided is high quality and a varied menu. The cleanliness is to a high standard
and welcoming environment for parents and children. We are glad we found this nursery my two-year-old son thrives here.
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Review from Emma K (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am absolutely delighted with the care and service Kids 1st Darlington provides to my daughter. The staff are wonderful and extremely friendly and professional. They give the nursery a true family feel. My daughter's development has been fantastic and all the children have wonderful manners. What I
also think is wonderful is the beautiful food they provide, my daughters eating habits and diet has improved incredibly ad is now very adventurous in trying new foods. Well done Kids 1st Darlington, keep up the good work.
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Review from Jessica A (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington are fantastic, they have really helped my son's development. He loves attending and the staff are so welcoming. I would recommend kids 1st highly. Any issues I have ever had management have been quick to respond and they have made sure the problems do not happen again.
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Review from L H (Father of Child) published on 2 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I recommend Kids 1st Darlington to everyone who I talk to about nurseries. From the first visit to 5 months here, the standards have never slipped. The staff are excellent, approachable, caring and it is clear they enjoy what they do.
The toys in rooms and activities vary on a daily basis keeping
my child engaged and excited to go.
The nursery is well maintained, clean and very modern.
So glad we found this nursery for our child.
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Review from CH (Mother of Child) published on 13 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children attended/attend Kids 1st and I would highly recommend.
Staff personalise the children's experiences and go above and beyond for their care.
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Review from Kimberley B (Mother of Child) published on 4 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington are exceptional in all aspects of childcare. The purpose built building is perfect for easy transitions between rooms and offers the children the space needed to play freely. All staff are outstanding from the cook to the house-keeper. All hands on staff have superb knowledge and
are a credit to Kids 1st Darlington.
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Review from Stacey A (Mother of Child) published on 4 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been with Kids 1st Darlington since Oct 15th and I've never had one complaint. My daughter was extremely shy and the staff really looked after her and put me at ease leaving her when she first started. The excellent care has continued and they made moving into her next class very easy.
My daughter loves nursery and Kids 1st Darlington has helped her confidence. She is also an extremely fussy eater and staff have encouraged her and she tries everything and eats food she doesn't at home. I can't thank Kids 1st Darlington enough for genuinely caring and looking after my daughter. She has learned so much during her time there.
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Review from M C (Father of Child) published on 4 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As always in recent weeks our son has enjoyed nursery. Nursery has provided an excellent parents evening on Oct. They have arranged festive events, nativity play and go and see Santa trip. The development has also been excellent with real progress in starting to write and having a bigger part in the
play being supported to develop and have fun. The nursery has provided excellent support for both our children and is a great experience for them.
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Current Review Score: 8.0 (8.046)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.0 (8.046) out of 10 for Kids 1st Darlington is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 1 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.0 out of 5 from 1 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 5.000 for Kids 1st Darlington is calculated as follows: ( (12 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 12 Ratings = 5
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 3.046 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Kids 1st Darlington is based on 1 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 = 3
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 108 number of registered child places is 21.6. 1 Positive Reviews ÷ 21.6 = 0.046
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (1)

Leanne

Leanne Bowron

Job Title: Centre Director

Hi, my name is Leanne and I am the Centre Director here at Kids 1st Darlington.

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