Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton

Houghton Road, Houghton le Spring DH5 9PG
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10 92 Reviews
  • Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton, Houghton le Spring
Refurbished in 2022, Little Pioneers Hetton has a comfortable and encouraging environment that's safe for the development of your child. Their experienced nursery practitioners provide personalised childcare in a play-based learning environment, developing your child's social skills through exciting, interactive activities.

Little Pioneers Hetton have a silver eco schools accredited, a programme which sees children lead the way in making a difference in the environment. They also have 5 Little Pioneers to help share their core values with their children such as encouraging them to be independent to expressing their feelings.

They have an app for parents and carers, ParentZone, which keeps them updated on how their little ones are getting on in nursery with photos of their day, assessments, meals eaten and even toilet training!

They are also big on happy children as they have growing areas for food (and eating it), regular visits to their local care home and focus on taking care of each other and the world.

At Little Pioneers Hetton, they believe play-based learning builds strong social and communication skills. Rest assured, every child at Hetton receives personalised attention from their reliable and experienced practitioners during the learning sessions.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Korinne Armour (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 37

Total Places for Children

  • 73

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • (0-2) Full day £68.50 / Half Day £39.00


    (2-3) Full day £65.25/ Half Day £37.25


    (3-5) Full day £58.75 / Half Day £33.50

  • Full day 7.30am-6.30pm
    Half Day 7.30am-1pm/1pm-6.30pm


    Government funding accepted

Opening Times

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

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays

Parking

  • Parking Available

Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton Reviews (92)

10

Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton has a Review Score of 10 (9.950) out of 10, based on 30 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton has 92 reviews.

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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton
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Review from J B (Mother of Child) published on 23 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is fantastic. The staff go above and beyond to help, they're so caring and kind. My son has developed so much still starting and has a brilliant relationship with all the staff. My son always has a great time and I love hearing about all the friends he's made along with all the activities
he's been up to. Would highly recommend!
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Review from Paul B (Father of Child) published on 23 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff have made our daughter feel so welcome and at home since she joined. You can feel the warmth and the dedication from the members of staff who work with her on the days she is in nursery. The opportunities and the facilities provided are outstanding and because of this, the development we have
seen since she joined has been incredible. We couldn't recommend the nursery and each of their staff members highly enough.
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Review from Tonie W (Mother of Child) published on 23 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Hetton nursery is a really good nursery and always so many opportunities for the children to get involved in daily. My son loves coming to nursery everyday and the staff are all so welcoming and makes him feel so comfortable within the nursery environment.
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Review from Christina R (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery are so supportive and keep you up to date with everything. His key worker ensures she goes above and beyond for him as well as all the other staff, the office staff are amazing they also are a key part of our son's journey. They support you through appointments and help you gain an understanding
for more. They have been so helpful and supportive with our sons journey.
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Review from Katie W (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing but positive praise to give the nursery. The communication is brilliant and I am fully up to date with my child's development and I get updates on his next steps. I honestly feel like all staff are aware of my child's needs, including office staff, and they take a big interest in his
interests and our interests as a family. They are so welcoming and always have time to talk to me and my husband.
I feel reassured that my child is in safe hands with the girls and he has blossomed. My child has developed so much during his time in nursery. The transition was outstanding from the baby room to the under-two room, the staff were aware that my child was emotional and we felt reassured that this was done in his best interests. The same is currently happening during his transition to the next room, staff are making the transition smooth and truly want the best for my child.
I could not recommend this nursery any more and I feel lucky that my child attends.
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Review from H W (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Key worker is fantastic and has taken time to build a great relationship with my child. The regular staff in my daughter's room also have a good relationship with her. The staff build a caring and nurturing learning environment which promotes holistic development for my child.
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Review from Sarah T (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Hetton Little Pioneers is a fantastic nursery, set in a beautiful environment, with such an amazing set of staff that are so welcoming. My little girl has come on leaps and bounds since she started and is so confident in herself now too. The staff are always friendly and positive which is lovely to
see, they provide outstanding care of the children, placing the children first in everything they do. They are just a fantastic nursery and you know your child is in safe hands, and will be having so much fun when they are there.
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Review from Nicola H (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has progressed so much since starting this nursery. Absolutely fantastic staff always happy to help and are amazing! Nothing is ever a problem and if you need reassurance your child is okay if they have gone in a little upset they are always on hand updating the app with pictures or say
you can call them to check in. Couldn’t recommend this nursery enough. Thank you.
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Review from J H (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The team at Little Pioneers are so friendly and make you and your child feel welcome from the outset. You are kept informed of your child’s progress and development on regular occasions and the added photos show how happy your child is. This gives you as a parent the greatest confidence that you made
the right choice of nursery. It definitely shows that the team’s hard work and dedication to your child, is worthwhile and they really do care for the development of your child and help them prepare for school.
I really couldn’t thank the team at Little Pioneers enough for all their support, my child is doing amazingly well.
The only slight downfall is that due to the amount of equipment/toys/resources/tools they have to help your child develop, occasionally it is not as clean (for example dust is shown, especially on items hanging from the ceilings/walls) and the garden could do with a sweep up more regularly. However, I would not say it impacts the children and my child always has fun.
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Review from Amy W (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery has been so supportive and I have no criticisms whatsoever in 8 years of sending my children here. Staff are attentive, friendly and professional. The nursery is always so clean and every milestone is supported to the child’s individual needs. Could not ask for a better nursery on my doorstep.
Thank
you all so much.
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Review from A O (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Pioneers is a beautiful place to send our kids. The staff are really nice people that take care of your kids as if they were theirs. Really a great nursery. Great environment an excellent outcome.
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Review from H B (Mother of Child) published on 3 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Everyone is so helpful and comforting. When leaving my son I was so worried as he hasn't been left with anyone (just myself and Dad) so leaving him was such a big deal for us and the staff was so supportive and caring. Keeping me updated throughout the day. Couldn't ask for anything better.
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Review from N S (Mother of Child) published on 31 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little boy started nursery here back in October. After a year of maternity, I was very anxious to be going back to work and leaving him in the care of others. The nursery was brilliant at easing my anxiety. I leave him there knowing he is super safe and supported and knowing he is going to have
a lovely day! So glad we chose Little Pioneers.
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Review from Gary M (Father of Child) published on 31 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn't speak more highly of this nursery. We have both of our children attend on a regular basis. The staff are very good and engaging. Our kids love being there. If we are lucky enough to have more children, we will be using this nursery again. Not only do our kids get so much from the nursery,
but we as parents enjoy drop off and pick up. We love a quick chat with the girls and discussing how our kids are progressing.
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Review from C L (Father of Child) published on 31 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter recently started nursery and was initially wary and often upset when going, the friendly staff quickly put her at ease and she always comes home telling stories of how much fun she has had.
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Review from S E (Mother of Child) published on 31 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My child enjoys coming to this nursery and their development has come on amazing since attending. The classrooms are always set out beautifully with some fantastic activities for the children to enjoy. I specifically like how they are growing vegetables and herbs in one of the classes and letting the
children join in with this.
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Review from Ashleigh T (Mother of Child) published on 30 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at this nursery since 12 months old. On my first visit to the nursery, I knew it was where I wanted him to attend. The attention to detail was great. I was shown around every single part of the nursery, all of the rooms, gardens, sensory room etc. The staff are amazing with the children.
On my son's 1st visit, he was even given some dinner and his key worker who had just met him completely took over, bib on, fed him, and cleaned him up. This really put my mind at ease seeing how well my son reacted to someone else caring for him and how great his key worker was with him after literally just meeting him. Almost 2 years later he has had a few different key workers and has gotten on amazing with all of them. The activities they do with them from being tiny right through the ages has helped my son develop his skills massively. I cannot thank this nursery enough for how much they do for us. They also have a parents committee which allows parents' ideas and thoughts to be heard.
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Review from R S (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has recently started at the nursery and after spending the last two years with close family, he's been a little apprehensive to be left at nursery. The staff have been amazing with him from the first day, they've arranged additional settling in days to help his transition and are always
really welcoming. When he's been unsettled at drop off, the staff are always able to quickly calm him down and I get regular updates to let me know he's doing well. The room has such a wide range of activities and my little boy has such a good time whenever he's at nursery. Would definitely recommend.
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Review from S C (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My Daughter loves spending time here, she only attends one day a week at the moment but she has come on leaps and bounds and she loves learning different things. The staff are so helpful and her key person is very knowledgeable and really puts my daughter's needs first.
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Review from Dawn W (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My first visit to the nursery blew me away. I wasn't intending to put my child in any earlier than him turning a year but after seeing the set up and the friendly and informative staff I was looking forward to seeing my child be a part of a wonderful nursery. I love how caring and genuine they are.
My child has developed so much and I love seeing how happy he is and the support I get from the staff is something else. Always go above and beyond. Highly recommend this nursery!
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.950)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.950) out of 10 for Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton 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 30 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 30 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 4.950 for Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton is calculated as follows: ( (344 Excellents x 5) + (12 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 359 Ratings = 4.95
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton is based on 30 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 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    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 73 number of registered child places is 14.6, which has been reached with 30 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  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

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (11)

Meet the Team (2)

Korinne

Korinne Armour

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2021

Hello, and welcome to Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School Hetton.

Emma

Emma

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2019

Hello, and welcome to Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School Hetton.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school, Hetton has an Enhanced Service - more info.