Nellie's Day Nursery

Stories that spill into play, a dining room and a cosy nook for managing feelings give Nellie's Day Nursery in Shildon its character. These were concrete features of daily life in June 2026, rather than a named branded approach.

At its June 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership to meet the expected standard, with safeguarding standards met. Nellie's has capacity for 75 children and accepts ages from 2 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, stories, conversation, physical exploration and number rhymes connected learning with play. In June 2026, children carried ideas from familiar books into their own games, while songs introduced subtraction. Books had a practical role beyond listening quietly.

Babies explored textures and colours through objects in a basket; toddlers experimented with building towers from small blocks. In June 2026, outdoor climbing gave children opportunities to try different movements. These experiences put physical exploration alongside language and early mathematical ideas.

Planning needed greater precision about the vocabulary children should acquire. That matters because an engaging conversation can also become a deliberate opportunity to introduce new words.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children facing learning barriers received tailored support through individual learning plans, time with their key person and advice from health visitors, speech and language therapists, alongside the council's SEND service for early years; relationships with parents were a strength. The practical sequence began with discussing concerns with families, then setting manageable learning steps and reviewing progress.

In June 2026, familiar staff helped children understand changes between activities, with extra communication for those needing it. The pre-school area's cosy nook gave children somewhere to explore feelings, and staff offered comfort when emotions became difficult to manage.

Care routines included sensitive nappy changing and naps, alongside support for independent handwashing. However, explanations of why personal care mattered were inconsistent. School transition support included additional help for children facing learning barriers.

Church Street, Shildon, DL4 1DU is the nursery's address. It operates throughout the year, closing on bank holidays.

In June 2026, opening hours ran from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, with a 5pm finish on Friday.

During that month, older children moved to the dining room for meals, while babies and toddlers ate in their room. A pasta bake was one lunchtime example.

• Friday collection. June 2026 opening hours ended at 5pm on Fridays, earlier than the other weekdays. Confirm Friday collection hours when discussing attendance arrangements for your working week.
• Language teaching. Curriculum planning needed clearer intentions for vocabulary. Consider how staff turn stories and conversations into opportunities to teach specific new words.
• Everyday explanations. Children practised personal care, but explanations of its purpose varied. Understanding why handwashing matters is a useful next step beyond following the routine.

Nellie's suits families seeking care across the year, with an emphasis on stories, practical independence and support shaped around individual learning needs. Its June 2026 picture includes thoughtful physical spaces and close work with families. The June 2026 next steps in vocabulary teaching and explanations during care routines remain useful points for families to consider.