Nurseries and childcare in Whickham

We know of 35 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers within 3 miles of the middle of Whickham, 5 of them in Whickham itself. 2 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 2 judged good or better. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.

35nurseries and childcarewithin 3 mi

5in Whickham itselfwithin 1.5 mi of the middle

2state nursery schoolsinspected by Ofsted

100%judged good or betterof 2 state nursery schools

State nursery schools within 3 miles of the middle of Whickham

Ashfield Nursery SchoolGood or better Good (2024) · 2.3 mi · phone and directions
Bensham Grove Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Outstanding (2023) · 2.4 mi · phone and directions

Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.

Nurseries and childcare near Whickham, nearest first

Choosing a nursery

Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.

Nurseries and childcare nearby

Swalwell 9 Fellside 1 Dunston 1 Sunniside 3 Winlaton Mill 1

Questions people ask

What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?

Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.

Can I get free childcare hours?

In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.

How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?

Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.

How many nurseries are there in Whickham?

We know of 35 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers within 3 miles of the middle of Whickham, including 2 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.

Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.