Best Nurseries in Blyth

Finding the right nursery is one of the biggest decisions any parent makes. Blyth has a number of Ofsted-registered nurseries and childcare settings, all within the NE24 postcode area. Here are four that accept children from birth or early months through to school age.

Dinotots Childcare

Dinotots Childcare is based at 14 Elliott Street in Newsham (NE24 4NR) and is part of the wider Dinotots Group, which runs three settings in Blyth. The nursery building has been redesigned to create an open-plan area for children over 2 and a separate, secure baby unit for the under 2s.

Dinotots offers both 15-hour and 30-hour funded childcare places for working parents of 2-year-olds and 3 to 4-year-olds for 38 weeks each year. The nursery holds an Ofsted rating of Good and prides itself on a strong community feel. You can contact them on 01670 363650.

Best for: Ofsted Good. Funded 2, 3 and 4-year-old places. Part of a group with three Blyth settings.

What A Hoot Day Nursery

What A Hoot Day Nursery operates from the Albion Activity Centre on Albion Way (NE24 5BW). The nursery has spacious, vibrant rooms for babies from 0 to 2 years, 2 to 3-year-olds and 3 to 5-year-olds, with an early 7:30am opening and a breakfast club.

A distinctive feature is What A Hoot's in-house drama and imagination company, which creates unique stories and songs to support children's creative development. The nursery holds an Ofsted rating of Good and offers both full-time and part-time places. Phone 01670 798060 to enquire.

Best for: Ofsted Good. Opens 7:30am with breakfast club. In-house drama programme.

Ladybird Children's Nursery

Ladybird Children's Nursery is a small day nursery at Briardale House on Briardale Road (NE24 5AN), accepting children from 9 months to school age. The nursery delivers the Development Matters curriculum in small, age-appropriate groups.

What sets Ladybird apart is its large outdoor area where children take part in forest school activities every day. All staff hold DBS clearance and paediatric first aid training, and there is a SENCO on hand for families with questions about Special Educational Needs. The nursery holds a Food Hygiene Rating of 5 (Very Good) and is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5:45pm. Call 07824 021715.

Best for: Small setting with daily forest school. SENCO available. Open 8am to 5:45pm.

Kerrie's Cherubs Childcare

Kerrie's Cherubs Childcare is at 45 Croft Road (NE24 2EL) and has capacity for up to 43 children from birth to 5 years. The nursery offers funded places for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds and charges from £4.60 per hour for additional hours.

A practical bonus for parents is the school drop-off service, covering Bede Academy, Early Steps, Morpeth Road, Malvins, Newsham and Croftway primary schools. The nursery is open Monday to Thursday from 7:30am to 6pm and Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Kerrie's Cherubs holds an Ofsted rating of Good.

Best for: Ofsted Good. School drop-off service to six local schools. From £4.60 per hour.

Choosing a Nursery in Blyth

A few things to keep in mind when choosing childcare in Blyth:

• Check funded hours. Most 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 or 30 hours of free childcare per week. Some 2-year-olds also qualify. Ask each nursery how they deliver funded hours.
• Visit in person. Every nursery listed here welcomes visits. Seeing the setting, meeting the staff and watching how children interact will tell you more than any website.
• Ask about flexibility. If your working hours vary, check whether the nursery offers part-time sessions, extended hours, or breakfast and after-school clubs.
• Read the Ofsted report. All four nurseries above are rated Good by Ofsted. Reports are available free at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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For more family-focused guides, see our posts on the best schools in Blyth and school holidays and Northumberland term dates.

Run a nursery or childcare setting in Blyth? Get in touch and we will add you to this guide.