Kids 1st Durham

Old Dryburn Way, Durham DH1 5SE
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9.6 19 Reviews
  • Kids 1st Durham, Durham
Kids 1st Day Durham has been purpose-built to provide secure and efficient childcare, suiting the needs of parents with busy itineraries while providing a fun, stimulating and creative environment in which children can develop, communicate and learn new skills.

Nursery staff take the nutritional and health needs of each child seriously, with home-made food a pleasing addition and a 'coffee to go' breakfast service allowing parents to a relax for a moment and watch their children settle in for the morning.

In 2011 Kids 1st Durham was rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.

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Care Provided by Kids 1st Durham

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Nancy Bewley-Purvis (Centre Director)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 30
  • Total Places for Children
  • 110
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 5 months
    • to 4 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Kids 1st Durham Reviews (19)

9.6

Kids 1st Durham has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.606) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Kids 1st Durham has 19 reviews.

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Review from L G (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My twins have been at the nursery just over a year and the staff have all been absolutely fantastic. I'm amazed when I go in for drop off and pick up that all the staff (including those from rooms my children have never been in) know their names and greet them. I love that they are treated as two individuals,
their interests and needs are met and supported individually.

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Review from Sarah B (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a lovely nursery this is. Our little boy has been here for nearly 2 years now and we are so pleased we chose it. He is a very happy little boy and that is down to the hard work of the staff and management for making it such a lovely place to be. I feel the nursery goes above and beyond if they
can and no conversation ever seems that it's not welcomed. The efforts the girls go to in the room to ensure the children have exciting and new activities to do while ensuring the children are learning is amazing.
Thank you for all you do.

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Review from M Z (Father of Child) published on 17 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very Recommended nursery.
Well-behaved and caring staff.
They help the children in every aspect of life.
I am really happy with them because of the care they render to my son.
A recommended nursery with caring staff.

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Review from Stuart H (Father of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son loves going to nursery. We have seen how much it has developed him since he started attended. It's a very safe, secure and clean space.
Nothing is too much trouble for the staff and I enjoy seeing his progress each day on the app.

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Review from Alan L (Father of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has a wonderful time every time he is in Kids 1st Durham, it makes working so much easier knowing he is happy and incredibly well looked after by the fabulous staff and management team. Management are extremely helpful and always attempts to accommodate to any changes in our schedule, and the
staff couldn't do enough for my son; they have a genuine connection with him that makes us very happy to know he is getting plenty of love when he is at nursery.

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Review from Sarah B (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful staff and a marvellous manager. Always looking to accommodate changing needs. My little one has attended since 11 months old and has loved it.
Very happy with my choice of childcare provider.

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Review from Robin M (Father of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been at Kids 1st Durham for well over two years now, and will stay here until he starts school in September 2025.
He has progressed really well throughout his entire time here in each of the different rooms, and the care and education the staff provide is absolutely fantastic and has been
the case in every room and at every stage of his development.
In particular in pre-school class now, the support and preparation for transitioning to school in September is fantastic and gives us confidence in how we will be able to manage that transition as a family.
Where there have been any concerns in behaviour or development that have cropped up, either for us or for nursery, we have always worked together to agree how to address them consistently both at home and in the nursery setting.
I couldn't rate Kids 1st Durham more highly for the care and support they provide and how positively this has impacted on our son.

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Review from Jessica H (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has attended kids 1st since he was 1 year old; he can struggle with separation however the staff have always been brilliant with him and have helped bring his confidence on leaps and bounds. He now doesn't look back as he goes into preschool!
A definite highlight over the years has been the
outdoor space and he'd happily tell us about riding the tricycles being the favourite part of his day.

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Review from Monsurat G (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery has been a life saver. My little one has been here since he was 1. As he grew, he was noted to have additional needs. The nursery has been very supportive with referrals, 1:1 care, and many other things. I don't know how we would have fared without them. The nursery feels like family honestly
to someone like me who does not have a lot of family around.
Thanks to all the girls for all the work you do, taking care of the most important part of our lives.

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Review from Samantha B (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The director and the team at Kids 1st are absolutely fabulous! My son joined around 6 months ago and all the staff have made the transition from home to nursery so smooth. I can't thank the staff enough for there patience, kind words and keeping me updated about my sons progress. We have noticed how
much he has developed since coming to this nursery and I'd highly recommend Kids 1st to any mum and dad out there!

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Review from L B (Father of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are very friendly. My child always happy to go and learns every time she goes to nursery. She always get to try new flavours that she may not at home through her dinners and lunches. The updates on the the app that staff use is very helpful and allows an insight on how my child is doing.

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Review from K P (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl loved going to nursery, the staff are kind and friendly and nothing is ever a bother.
Staff are knowledgeable and passionate about their job and management are always helpful and accommodating.

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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My eldest child has attended the nursery since she was 14 months old after previously attending another setting and how we wish we enrolled her into Kids 1st sooner.
I have never ever come across a nursery where through every transition all of the girls have poured so much love into her, loved her
like their own and supported her day in day out through her learning journey.
My youngest now attends the nursery and the same standard of care has continued throughout. Highly skilled and professional practitioners have provided second to none care for both of our little ones and the ethos really stands out because they really have "given them the best start in life" they really do put children at the heart of everything and deliver a fantastic expertly developed curriculum that both children are totally thriving with.
We couldn't thank Kids 1st enough for putting their heart and soul into the love and care they have given our children and we couldn't recommend more!

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Review from J P (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is thriving and learning so many new skills at Kids 1st Durham, her school readiness is supported daily and she thoroughly enjoys her days at nursery. All the staff caring for her are supportive and informative and have a real passion for what they do.

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Review from Kristian H (Father of Child) published on 29 October 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are fantastic with my son. He has some allergies but nothing is too much trouble.

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Review from Liz G (Mother of Child) published on 24 September 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our experience of the nursery has been completely positive. The staff are friendly and welcoming and take the time to get to know every child and their family. The nursery is always clean and welcoming and displays and activities in the rooms are refreshed regularly. Special days are celebrated such
as the recent Royal Wedding. Our little boy has loved coming to Kids 1st and we have always felt completely reassured that he is being well cared for. Thank you!

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Review from Alma A (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has a wonderful time every time he is in Kids 1st Durham, it makes working so much easier knowing he is happy and incredibly well looked after by the fabulous staff and management team. Management are extremely helpful and always attempt to accommodate to any changes in our schedule, and the
carers couldn’t do enough for my son; they have a genuine connection with him that makes me very happy to know he is getting plenty of love when he is at nursery. There are a range of activities they provide for him that encourage all areas of his development, he always has done something new and exciting when they tell me how his day has been at hand over. We’ve had a great experience from the very beginning at Kids 1st Durham!

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Review from Anna P (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my daughters struggled to settle into nursery when they first started but with the wonderful support, patience and care given by all the staff (carers and management) they are now happy and I am so grateful for everything they have done and continue to do for my girls. I have also felt that the
carers have a genuine connection with my daughters and they are very very well looked after.

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Review from Lisa Q (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is amazing! My little boy loves attending and gets excited to see his carers every morning. There is a selection of activities going on in the nursery from painting and building to playing in the mud kitchen outdoors. His key person monitors his learning and development and I have regular
feedback on his progress. He has so much fun at nursery and his carers ensure his needs are met offering delicious food and giving him lots of cuddles.
Thank you, Kids 1st.

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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.606)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.606) out of 10 for Kids 1st Durham is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.6 out of 5 from 14 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.970 for Kids 1st Durham is calculated as follows: ( (163 Excellents x 5) + (5 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 168 Ratings = 4.97

  • b) 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 4.636 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Kids 1st Durham is based on 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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

    • ii) 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 110 number of registered child places is 22. 14 Positive Reviews ÷ 22 = 0.636

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

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Meet the Team (1)

Nancy

Nancy Bewley-Purvis

Job Title: Centre Director

Joined: 2007

I have worked in childcare since 1999 and joined the Kids 1st team in 2007, starting out in the baby room as an Early Years Educator moving my way up to Senior Early Years Educator then Assistant Centre Director and finally as Centre Director. 


I live at home with my husband and our two dogs. 


I love crafting making things and dog walking of course!


Frequently Asked Questions about Kids 1st Durham

What is the Age Range of Children that Kids 1st Durham accepts?

Kids 1st Durham accepts Children aged from 0 years 5 months to 4 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Kids 1st Durham Open?

Kids 1st Durham is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Kids 1st Durham have capacity for?

Kids 1st Durham has capacity for a total of 110 Children.

How far is Kids 1st Durham to the centre of Durham?

0.9 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 Kids 1st Durham to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Kids 1st Durham has an Enhanced Service – more info.