Dimples Stainton Day Nursery

Sensory play for babies, singing for toddlers and shared stories for older children give Dimples Stainton Day Nursery a recognisable character in its September 2022 account. Everyday experiences carry the learning: handling materials, listening to words and practising self-care.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 23 September 2022 and judged safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 64 children, from birth to 60 months, at The Annexe, Sporting Lodge, Low Lane, Middlesbrough.

In September 2022, babies explored bags containing jelly while staff introduced words connected with the experience, then took sensory exploration outdoors. Toddlers joined singing activities and practised looking after themselves, including using the toilet independently. These examples connect language and practical learning rather than treating them as separate activities.

The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2022 examples include exploring textures, handling books and talking about stories: play and conversation provide opportunities to practise those skills.

Older children answered questions about familiar stories and contributed their own ideas. Outdoor teaching needed further development, however, so that learning outside covered the breadth of the framework more fully.

In September 2022, settling happened gradually, with staff collecting detailed information about each child. Quiet areas supported sleep for babies and younger children, while regular exchanges with parents covered both care and development. These arrangements helped connect home routines with nursery life.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff worked with other professionals and made detailed plans for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, but agreed approaches were not consistently used with older children. For families needing additional support, consistency was the important qualification to the positive account.

Freshly prepared cooked meals featured in September 2022, alongside drinking water and reminders about handwashing. Care routines formed part of the day’s learning.

The address is The Annexe, Sporting Lodge, Low Lane, Middlesbrough, TS17 9LW. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In September 2022, sessions ran from 7.30am to 6pm, and funded early education was offered for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated attendance and funding details.

• Support for older children. Consistent use of agreed support strategies was an improvement point in September 2022. Ask how individual plans now guide everyday practice.
• Learning outdoors. September 2022 brought a recommendation to strengthen teaching outside. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how outdoor activities connect with children's learning.
• Attendance and costs. The nursery opens across the year, excluding bank holidays. Request a current written quotation covering your intended attendance, funded hours, meals and consumables.

Dimples suits families seeking all-year weekday care, with the September 2022 account offering concrete examples of sensory exploration, conversation and developing independence. The Good judgement provides a dated quality benchmark; consistent support for older children and the educational use of outdoor space remain useful points for a visit.