Brand Certified
Kids 1st Ferndene
5.0(9 reviews)
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
Business Details
64 Elton Parade, Darlington, County Durham
DL3 8PQ, United Kingdom
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
+44 1325 468774
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/darlington-ferndene
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
About
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
Nursery SchoolChild Care AgencyBusy Bees Holdings Limited
This nursery is located in Darlington but there are Busy Bees nurseries wherever you need them. You'll find them nestled by universities, tucked close to train stations, attached to hospitals, and snuggled down quiet streets in towns and cities, perfectly placed for drop-offs and pick-ups. Some are based in small, cosy homes, others in office buildings - and we even have one in a converted church. Every nursery is as unique as its children, but whichever you choose you can look forward to exceptional quality childcare, NHS-accredited food menus, enriching curriculum and exciting environments that give your child the best start in life.
Location
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
Hours
Certified by Kids 1st Ferndene • May 24, 2026
Monday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
Reviews
5.0
9 reviews
5 stars
9
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1 star0
- JHJonathan HowellsJun 28, 20235.0Great nursery; children have developed well by attending.
- SHSharon HughesSep 11, 20195.0My son has just left Ferndene to start school. Since he started at 9 months old he has developed so well with the care and attention of the staff. Staff are always helpful and friendly. Like an extended family! My daughter has now begun nursery here too and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Such a fantastic setting with the best staff.
- NPN PAug 19, 20195.0I cannot thank all the staff enough for their support they have given me and my daughter over the last few years. The team work incredibly hard and are always happy to help. They have helped shape my daughter into a polite, caring and sociable young girl and I cannot praise the team enough. I love the setting of this nursery and feel the grounds offer a welcoming family environment. The nursery is unique in its style and they made me and my daughter feel like part of the furniture. The building encompasses the history and culture of Darlington as well as promoting the modern day necessities children require to support their development. For me, this nursery is different to the others in town as they are extremely family orientated and I have never felt like my child was just a number on a document, which can happen at other nurseries. The staff care about every single child and this is evident when looking around the nursery and participating in activities within the nursery too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids 1st Ferndene
Are you hiring?
Yes! Come join one of our Busy Bees teams!
We are on the lookout for passionate educators to join our diverse teams and offer every child the best start in life. We offer competitive rates of pay and the opportunity to undertake further qualifications free of charge via our in-house training academy.
Visit our Busy Bees careers page and find your next role in early years education. https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/working-at-busy-bees
Can I pay for hourly childcare?
We're afraid not – sorry. If you'd like a place at a Busy Bees nursery, your child will need to come along for at least two half sessions, or one full day, each week. Speak to your local nursery about your specific needs - they'll be more than happy to help.
Can my child come to nursery for just one day a week?
Yes, they certainly can! You can book a minimum of two half-day sessions or one full day each week. Just talk to your local nursery to discuss exactly what you need.
Do I need to pay extra for meals and snacks while my child is at nursery?
Your child's meals and snacks are all covered in your nursery fee, so you won't need to make any additional payments. Their nursery place includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a variety of tasty snacks throughout the day, and we can cater for all kinds of dietary requirements and allergies as well as fussy eaters. Just talk to your nursery team if your child has any specific needs. You can take a look at an example menu on our website in the "Eating Well" section.
Do you offer creche facilities?
Sorry, we don't offer creche facilities at Busy Bees nurseries. You'll need to book a minimum of two half-day sessions or one full day at nursery each week to book a place. Have a chat with your local nursery if you'd like to know more.
Do you offer funded places?
Of course! We know it's not always easy to cover the costs of childcare, so we're pleased to offer a variety of funding options at our nurseries – including 30 hours funded childcare. If you're not sure whether you qualify, speak to your local nursery to work out the right funding option for you. You can find more about childcare funding at Busy Bees in the "Quality Childcare" section of our website.
Do you offer taster sessions?
Yes, we do – we call them settling-in sessions. If you're interested in a settling-in session, start by booking a visit to your local nursery; they can tell you more about how it works.
Do you provide nappies?
Whether or not we provide nappies varies from nursery to nursery. In some, we offer an all-inclusive package that covers nappies for children under 2. In others, we ask parents to provide their own. Talk to your local nursery to check whether you'll need to supply your own nappies.
Do your nurseries have gardens?
Yes, they do! All of our nurseries have wonderful, fully equipped outdoor spaces for your child to explore. We plan every space carefully to extend learning opportunities, inspire creativity and – just as importantly – provide different ways to play. Resources like our mud kitchens, trikes and more are always available for children to use, and we run special activities outdoors too. Find your local nursery to learn more about their facilities.
How do I find my nearest nursery?
Simple! Just go on our website and click "Find your nursery". There are over 350 nurseries in the Busy Bees Group across the UK, that deliver high quality childcare and exciting learning opportunities that give every child a head start as they prepare for school.
How do I set up an account for UP?
If you are a Busy Bees parent, just enter the email address you have registered with nursery. This will be the same email that your invoices are sent to. If you are not sure which email address you have used you can check with your nursery manager. If you are a Busy Bees practitioner, your manager will provide you with your log in details.
How will I know if my child is settling in?
Starting nursery is an emotional time, for you as well as for your child. After all, it’s a big step! So, we’ll do everything we can to help your child settle in and give you peace of mind.
Before your child starts nursery, you're welcome to come for a settling-in session. During the session, you'll have the chance to watch your child explore nursery and interact with other children and staff. We'll also assign your child a Key Person. Their Key Person is your dedicated contact while your child is at nursery, and they'll keep you updated on their progress each day. If there are any problems at all, they'll let you know. Speak to your local nursery if you'd like to know more about settling-in sessions.
I don't have a child at a Busy Bees nursery; can I use the UP app?
Sorry – only parents of Busy Bees children and educators at Busy Bees will be able to use the app. It’s all part of how we give the children at our nurseries their very best start in life.
My child's a really fussy eater. Can I send them to nursery with a packed lunch?
For lots of children and for all kinds of reasons, food can be a bit tricky. In fact, that’s exactly why we don’t allow packed lunches or snacks from home at our nurseries; many of the children in our care have allergies, and we just can’t put their safety at risk.
Instead, we provide fresh and tasty breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks at every one of our nurseries. Our menus are healthy, varied, and NHS approved, and we cater for special dietary requirements, cultural food choices, allergies, and fussy eaters, so every child can look forward to tasty food they love to eat. It’s all covered in your nursery fee, too. You can take a look at an example menu on our website in the "Eating Well" section.
What will I find on the UP app?
Our UP learning programme is jam-packed with activities and information, all designed to help your child learn and grow. You'll find professional advice from our team of experts on everything from healthy eating to preparing for school, as well as hundreds of activities for you to try. There are even 50 songs to listen, sing, and dance to with your child, recorded just for Busy Bees. You can learn more about UP on our website.
What's the UP app?
UP is Busy Bees unique learning programme and app, inspired by our promise to give children the best start in life, in and out of nursery.
"UP" stands for "Unleashing Potential", because that's exactly what we've designed this programme to do. Made for children aged 0 to 5, it's filled with an inexhaustible range of activities and advice for every age and stage of nursery children, and the app puts it all at parents fingertips. You can learn more about UP on our website.
What’s an Enrolment Event?
Enrolment Events are like open days or open weeks at Busy Bees. It's a chance for you to visit your local nursery, take a look around, and see some of our exciting activities in action. Then, if you decide to book a nursery place during the event, you'll receive an extra special offer* – it's our way of welcoming you to the family. Talk to your local nursery if you’d like to know more.
*Note: This only applies to participating nurseries, and terms and conditions apply.
Where can I find the UP app?
Busy Bees parents and educators can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. To find the right app for you, look at the colours – the parent app is teal, and the educator app is purple. Find UP at the App Store and the Play Store.
What are the opening hours of Kids 1st Ferndene nursery?
Kids 1st Ferndene nursery is open Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00 and is closed on weekends and public holidays like Christmas.
Does Kids 1st Ferndene provide meals and snacks, and are they included in the fees?
Yes, all meals and snacks including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are included in the nursery fee. They cater for dietary requirements, allergies, and fussy eaters.
Can I book childcare for just one day a week at Kids 1st Ferndene?
Yes, you can book a minimum of two half-day sessions or one full day each week. It's best to talk to the local nursery to discuss your specific needs.
Are there outdoor play areas at Kids 1st Ferndene?
Yes, all nurseries have fully equipped outdoor spaces with resources like mud kitchens and trikes, designed to encourage creativity and play in a safe environment.
Is hourly childcare available at Kids 1st Ferndene?
No, hourly childcare is not offered. A minimum booking of two half sessions or one full day per week is required.
Does Kids 1st Ferndene offer funded childcare places?
Yes, they offer several funding options including 30 hours funded childcare. Contact the local nursery to determine eligibility and find the best option for you.
Are nappies provided at Kids 1st Ferndene nursery?
Nappy provision varies by nursery. Some offer an all-inclusive package covering nappies for children under 2, while others require parents to provide them. Please check with the nursery directly.
What nearby convenience stores can I visit when dropping off or picking up my child from Kids 1st Ferndene?
One Stop is a nearby convenience store close to Kids 1st Ferndene where you can quickly shop for groceries or essentials during nursery drop-offs and pick-ups.
Are there schools near Kids 1st Ferndene for siblings or future education options?
Yes, Abbey Infants' School, Federation of Abbey Schools, Raventhorpe Preparatory School, and Yarm School are nearby educational institutions that families might consider for siblings or future schooling.
How can nearby medical services support families at Kids 1st Ferndene?
Nearby medical services like Sri Ranga Enterprise Ltd and Jayne Apps Counselling & Psychotherapy Service provide healthcare and psychological support, offering convenient access to medical care for families.
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