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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Reviewer Connection to Kids 1st Darlington
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Total of 57, showing 41-57
Review from Leanne C (Mother of Child) published on 3 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Love the staff, kids really enjoy themselves. Both my children attended.
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Review from Samantha T (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Kids 1st Darlington enough. My son thoroughly enjoys coming into nursery, not only to play with his friends but also to see his teachers. He thoroughly enjoys the activities and outings that Kids 1st provide and they have been helpful through accommodating start times with work and
also financially with both children. My daughter has grown to love her staff and has formed a lovely bond with her keyworker who has helped her adjust to not having mummy around.
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Review from Gemma C (Mother of Child) published on 19 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st is amazing.
I never wanted to leave my son at a nursery however I leave him here 3 times a week with 100% trust! Staff are just fab.
I always say they're like my son's second mums.
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Review from Libby L (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington staff are like no other. Each day we are welcomed with a warm welcome. Nothing is too small, the nursery ensures my daughter's needs are met and ensure she enjoys her time here. I feel confident with my daughter in the care of the staff. Almost 4 years on and my daughter continues
to thrive.
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Review from Laura N (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I currently have 2 children in this nursery and feel so comfortable leaving them. I feel they have progressed greatly with their learning and confidence.
The manager always accommodates extra sessions when needed.
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Review from Rebecca F (Mother of Child) published on 8 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Kids 1st Darlington for two years and he loves it there. The staff are very caring and supportive. I love it that everyone is friendly and staff always speak to me and my son. It's very welcoming to know that everyone knows him by name - a very personal service. My 8-month-old
has just started there and I've felt completely at ease with him starting as I am confident the staff will care for him in the best way possible.
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Review from Kalia (Mother of Child) published on 8 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent Nursery. Very highly recommended. My son always enjoys his time at nursery. The team are lovely and friendly and have educated and given my son an excellent start in life. I can't praise them enough for the life skills my son has received.
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Review from Emma S (Mother of Child) published on 10 October 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington is an outstanding nursery that truly deserves it's outstanding Ofsted status. My daughter has been going to this nursery since she was a baby and is now 4 years old and I have never had any concerns for her safety or well-being. The manager, nursery teachers, domestics, and cooks
are all so friendly and helpful. The menus are varied, healthy and good quality. Fingerprint secure entrance is a great feature. Sad she is leaving to start school.
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Review from Tracy H (Mother of Child) published on 31 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When finding a placement which covers all needs to a child's learning, the environment and able to cater for the child's allergies I came across many establishments that do not meet my criteria. I have only found Kids 1st Darlington to meet everything and exceed my expectations. My daughter is well
cared for, her allergies catered for, her learning and speech massively improved. Nothing is a problem. I cannot praise the staff enough for support/care of my daughter who is in very safe hands. Highly recommend this nursery.
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Review from Michael C (Father of Child) published on 30 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very proud to send my daughter to this Outstanding Nursery and would highly recommend to anyone. The education element is fantastic with the staff all showing such a passion for education rather than just 'childcare'. Kids 1st is an outstanding first step on the lifelong learning journey of a person,
even from such a young age, and it is all done a such a fun way that the children wouldn't even notice.
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Review from Eleanor R (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the moment of stepping into the building, the staff make you feel welcome, professional and secure feeling throughout. Staff very attentive, fantastic choice of meals for the kids. My son always eats most or all of it every day! Fresh tasty food. My son comes away from nursery feeling very happy
and with something new each day. The learning activities seem to be very effective and encouraging. The staff are more than happy and willing to work with the parent for the child's development.
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Review from Amy W (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I think my daughter prefers to be at nursery than with me she loves it that much! She has been attending for 4 months now and recently turned one year old. The change in her during that time is amazing and I firmly believe she would not have come on this much had she just been at home with me. The staff
are brilliant with her. She eats so much better there than at home so obviously prefers their cooking to mine! She has made lots of little friends that she enjoys playing with. We're extremely happy with our choice of nursery.
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Review from Danielle J (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st is a wonderful nursery. Our little boy has thrived since starting there. He is very happy and well cared for. The staff are kind, caring and fair. The staff are interested in the individual child, their needs and interests. The nursery is a credit to the manager. She knows every childs name
and spends time in the classrooms with the children. She also knows the parents names and has time for everyone. We are extremely happy parents!
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Review from Sundip K (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington is a brilliant nursery and glad we picked it for our little one. All the staff are great and make a real effort with the kids and parents. Facilities are second to none and the menu is fantastic and tastes fantastic.
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Review from Sarah F (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son joined Kids 1st Darlington in September and he seems to be loving every second. He goes in happy and comes home happy...what more could a parent want! The staff are very warming and welcoming which put our minds at ease in our busy jobs. Our son loves his key worker and has a special bond after
such a short space of time which speaks volumes. The communication is great and it is clear all staff care about and love their jobs. We couldn't be happier with Kids 1st Darlington they're great!
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Review from Claire A (Mother of Child) published on 21 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids 1st Darlington is amazing! Whenever asked, I'm always proud to say my children attend Kids 1st as it truly is outstanding. From the management, staff, food, facilities and even the 'coffee to go' service. No stone is left unturned to ensure that all children not only receive the best education,
but in my opinion, the most outstanding care around. Kids 1st is the next best care to home and we couldn't be happier.
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Review from Verity T (Mother of Child) published on 22 July 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience so far at Kid's 1st, Darlington has been wonderful. The staff have been incredibly supportive and welcoming. They have prioritised getting to know us as a family as well as individually. I feel so secure leaving my son in their care, he seems happy to be there, safe, nurtured and well
fed! Nothing is ever too much trouble and they create a fantastic, fun environment for the children. The staff communicate really well with both parents and children. The learning goals are clear but do not dominate which I am very happy with. I am so pleased with our choice of nursery and am excited to continue my son's journey there.
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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.

Child Vacancies

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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.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Kids 1st Darlington to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Kids 1st Darlington has an Enhanced Service - more info.