Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School)

20 Thornhill Park, Sunderland SR2 7LA
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9.2 5 Reviews
  • Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School), Sunderland
Nestled in the heart of Sunderland, Argyle House School extends a warm invitation to nursery aged children in a dedicated nursery, Little Crickets.

It is built on a family ethos and values that prioritises holistic development and individual growth.

Open 50 weeks of the year, staff take pride in cultivating an early love of education, fostering creativity, resilience and respect in children.

Young minds will be enveloped in an atmosphere that not only focuses on academic excellence but also instils values that will guide them through life's many adventures.
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Funding & Fees

Full Day Session: 8am - 5.30pm £68.40
Full Morning Session: 8am -12.45pm £34.20
Full Afternoon session: 12.45pm - 5.30pm £34.20


Hourly Charge: £7.20 (non-funded hours)
Consumable Charge: £2.00 (per funded hour)


A non-refundable deposit of £60.00 is payable with the registration form for admission.


Then terms and conditions will be sent out where a £300 deposit is required. This will be taken off your final fee payment when your child leaves.

Here at Little Crickets Sunderland, we offer 15 and 30 hour funded places.

Contact Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) to get a personalised quote.

Contact Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Mr John Sample (Headmaster)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 7

Total Places for Children

  • 34

Age Range

  • from 0 years 6 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-17:30
    Tuesday 08:00-17:30
    Wednesday 08:00-17:30
    Thursday 08:00-17:30
    Friday 08:00-17:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas Holidays

Parking

  • Parking available on the road outside the school gates.

Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) Reviews (5)

9.2

Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.202) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) has 5 reviews.

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Total of 5, showing 1-5
Review from Christie P (Mother of Child) published on 7 April 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Cricket's Nursery has been amazing for our daughter. The staff are so warm and attentive, the smaller setting means they truly know her and what she needs. She loves the fun activities and her speech has improved so much since joining. We are so grateful for the care and personal attention she
gets here. The dedication, kindness and nurturing environment the team have created is helping our daughter thrive.
Reply from Donna Blackmore, Nursery Manager at Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School)We really appreciate the lovely review, thank you. Here at Little Crickets Nursery, we always offer a warm and welcoming environment for all of our children.
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Review from Reece A (Father of Child) published on 6 April 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Having made the decision to transfer my daughter from her previous nursery it became very clear straight away we had made the correct decision.
Gabriellas rapid change in everything from her willingness to be at little crickets 24/7 if she could have pulled it off. To her mannerisms becoming that of
a very polite little girl was astounding. The attentiveness of the staff at the nursery is magnificent. They have all looked after my daughter over the past several months and it has been a pleasure to watch her develop each week. I couldn't recommend little crickets enough and we are so excited to watch Gabriella grown into the next journey of her academic career at Argyle House School
Reece (father of Gabriella)
Reply from Donna Blackmore, Nursery Manager at Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School)Thank you for choosing Little Crickets Nursery for your daughter. We have loved getting to know her in the time she has been here.
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Review from Elliott K (Father of Child) published on 3 April 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have our 2 children now in the school (nearly 2 years old & 4 years old). They both absolutely love the school and following a transition from a previous nursery both have thrived in such a positive, supporting and caring environment from the whole school team.
Our youngest's development has come
on leaps & bounds helping him in all ways (counting, reading, awareness of the world to name a few). The care from all the staff at the school has been amazing to see. I am sure that they will ensure he reaches his full potential whilst setting him up for school life in future.
Our oldest is currently in kindergarten, we have been amazed by not only her development academically but the number of extra activities she has been involved in such as the nativity, swimming lessons, days out to the theatre & ballet. Her writing, reading, arithmetic & creative skills have developed at a rapid rate. She often tells us how much she loves school, learning & is looking forward to starting reception.
Reply from Donna Blackmore, Nursery Manager at Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School)Thank you so much for your kind words. It has been a pleasure to welcome both children to Little Crickets Nursery.
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Review from Laura L (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent care, bespoke education to child's needs, clean, attentive, fully qualified teachers. Children are taught and educated not just playing. I have 3 children, 2 are now in the school, and 1 currently in Little Crickets Nursery (all attended), tried several settings and this one is far superior
to what is on offer in Sunderland. Highly recommended if you wish for your child to be cared for, inspired and educated.
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Review from Chrissy C (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As parents of two, we've seen the exceptional environment at Little Crickets Sunderland firsthand. Our eldest has thrived here for three years, and now our youngest is excited to begin. From day one, we knew this school was special. The family ethos isn't just a phrase - it's a daily reality. Our eldest
has flourished academically and socially, thanks to caring teachers who nurture both minds and hearts. The school's focus on personal growth and values has shaped him into a confident, compassionate boy who loves school. Now, as our youngest starts, we're confident he'll be cared for, loved, and challenged in this warm, supportive community. His excitement reflects the staff's dedication and the welcoming open days. Little Crickets provides the perfect foundation for our children's futures.
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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.202)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.202) out of 10 for Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) 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 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.2 out of 5 from 5 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 4.967 for Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) is calculated as follows: ( (58 Excellents x 5) + (2 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 60 Ratings = 4.967
  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 4.235 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) is based on 5 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 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 = 3.5
    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 34 number of registered child places is 6.8. 5 Positive Reviews ÷ 6.8 = 0.735
  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 (0)

Meet the Team (5)

Donna

Donna Blackmore

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

My name is Donna, and I joined the Little Crickets team in 2025 as Nursery Manager.

Louise

Louise McIntosh

Job Title: Director of Learning and Kindergarten Teacher Joined: 2007

My name is Louise McIntosh, and I have a BA Hons with QTS. I am the Early Years lead for Argyle House School.


I have worked for Argyle House for over 17 years. Having spent 10 years teaching in Reception and the subsequent 7 in our Nursery, I have a wealth of experience with this age range and enjoy supporting our dedicated team in delivering the highest standard of care.


Within our Argyle House family, we nurture and support every child. I am passionate about teaching, supporting and guiding children to reach their full potential in their academic, personal, physical, moral and spiritual development.


We believe in parents as partners and work closely alongside our parents to share, delight and extend their child’s experience and skills. I believe a happy, content child is a child ready to learn, play and grow.

Katie

Katie Boustead

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2008

My name is Mrs Boustead or, the children know me as ‘Mrs B’. I am the Kindergarten teacher at Argyle House School.


I have a degree in Educational Studies and a PGCE certificate with QTS. I have been a qualified teacher for 17 years and have been teaching at AHS for over 16 years.


I have a keen interest in the mental wellbeing of the children and I aim to ensure I develop strong relationships with all children in order to develop a strong platform for their learning.

Emily

Emily Cairns

Job Title: Early Years Practioner Joined: 2025

My name is Millie Cairns, and I joined the Little Crickets team in 2025 as an Early Years Practitioner. I have a BA in Primary Education with QTS and an MA in SEND. I have worked in EYFS settings for the past 5 years.

Sophie

Sophie Davison

Job Title: Early Years Practioner Joined: 2025

My name is Sophie Davison. I have a BSc in Health and Social Care and a PGCE in Primary Education. I have worked in EYFS settings for the past 3 years. Additionally, I have a qualification in Children's Mental Health and Counselling Skills.

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School)

What is the Age Range of Children that Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) accepts?

Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) accepts Children aged from 0 years 6 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) Open?

Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) is open: Monday 08:00-17:30, Tuesday 08:00-17:30, Wednesday 08:00-17:30, Thursday 08:00-17:30, Friday 08:00-17:30.

How many Children does Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) have capacity for?

Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) has capacity for a total of 34 Children.

How far is Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) to the centre of Sunderland?

0.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Little Crickets Nursery (at Argyle House School) has an Enhanced Service - more info.