Sunshine Day Nursery

We offer ‘30 hours childcare for working parents’.

We are a 66 place setting in Peterlee offering a wide range of services for children aged between 12 weeks and 5 years. We offer full day care and sessional care, and we have funded places for 2, 3 and 4 year old children.

We also provide a holiday club, and after school club during the for older children up to the age of 12 years.

To find out more about help with childcare costs please visit www.durham.gov.uk/childcarecosts

When is it on?

Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Session information
Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.45pm
Early opening from 7.15am for an additional fee.
Morning sessions 8.00am - 1.00pm

Who to contact

Contact name
Katherine Hardman
Contact position
Manager
Telephone
0191 586 9222
E-mail
oneilldrive@thesunshinedaynursery.com
Website
Sunshine Day Nursery

Where to go

Address
O'neill Drive
Peterlee
County Durham
Postcode
SR8 5UD

Other details

Age range
3 months - 12 years

Availability

Childcare availability
Before school
Term time
School holidays
After school
Free 3/4 yr places
Yes
Free 2 yr places
Yes
Will be providing 30 hours
Yes

Special provisions

Wheelchair access
Yes - Wheelchair accessible.
Special needs access
Yes
Special needs experience
Down syndrome
Diabetes

Vacancy details

Immediate vacancies?
Yes
Other information
We have limited spaces at the moment but we do have a waiting list and we try to accommodate as soon as places become available. (Updated 1 March 2023)

Other details

School drop off/collection
Acre Rigg Academy
Shotton Hall Primary Schooll
Howletch Lane Primary School
Acre Rigg Infant School
Dene House Primary School
Our Lady of The Rosary Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary
Last Ofsted inspection grade
Good
Ofsted report
View the latest Ofsted inspection report

Local Offer

Local Offer description

We are an inclusive setting and welcomes all children regard-less of any additional needs they may have. 

We are committed to providing quality care and education for all children and
we have had experience with supporting children with a wide range of Special Educational Needs.

We ensure an inclusive approach and we are committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum using differentiation so that children’s individual needs are met.

Our physical environment is accessible to all and can be easily adapted to suit children’s individual needs. We work closely with parents and other professionals using a multi-agency approach.

  • Several members of staff have had practical training in working with children with diabetes, they know how to use the finger pricking device, perform BG test using a blood glucose meter, they can calculate carbohydrate amounts of food and give/supervise an insulin injection.
  • Our SENCO has Level 2 in Autism Awareness.
  • Many of our staff have a Level 1 in Autism Awareness
  • Some staff have had peg feeding training.
  • Some staff have had allergen awareness training.
  • Our SENCO and Assistant SENCO have had training in supporting children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
  • Six of our members of staff have had BLAST training which can be used as an invention to support children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
  • We have a behaviour management policy and all staff have had training around behaviour management.
  • Staff work closely with other professionals including Family Workers, Health Visitors, Outreach Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians and Educational Psychologists to ensure children’s needs are being met.
  • Key persons work closely with children with SEN support plans frequently on a one to one basis helping them work towards their goals. 
  • Our building is easily accessible with disabled bathroom facilities and wide doors.
  • Excellent transitions between rooms or new settings carried out.

How are the setting’s resources allocated and matched to children’s special educational needs?

Should your child have or be identified as having a special educational need then nursery staff will be deployed in such a way to support your child.  This may be at specific times during the session, such as lunch time or in the case of children requiring a high level of support – an additional member of staff will be employed. Should we need to purchase specific equipment or resources for your child then we can arrange funding for this from the local authority.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?

Any decisions made regarding the level of support required will be agreed be-tween the nursery, the parent/carer and the Early Years and Health professionals working with you. 

How are parents/carers involved in the setting? How can I be involved?

Parents/carers can be involved in a number of ways and this is actively encouraged in the setting.  Parents are welcome to stay and play at any time.  We share news and ideas for children’s learning on our newsletters and our Facebook page. We also send home our learning bags for parents to support children at home. We encourage parents to share information about children’s interests or hobbies with us, so that we can extend those interests while they are at nursery.

Who can I contact for further information?
 
At Sunshine Day Nursery your first point of contact will be your child’s Key Person.  Alternatively, you can discuss any concerns or queries with the man-ager or with the settings SENCO (Jane Swales) or with our Assistant SENCO (Hayley Morris) who will be more than happy to assist you.
 
This offer is accurate now, but services are regularly reviewed and could change. All information will be updated as soon as possible to reflect any new changes.

Contact name
Katherine Hardman (Manager), Jane Swales (SENCO), Hayley Morris (Assistant SENCO)
Contact telephone
0191 586 9222
Contact email
oneilldrive@thesunshinedaynursery.com

How does the early year's provision identify and assess children with special educational needs and disabilities?

How does the early year's provision identify and assess children with special educational needs and disabilities?

Prior to your child starting and from the moment you register for a place at our setting you will be asked about any special educational needs your child may have and you will have lots of opportunities to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child. 

In some cases a child may have already been diagnosed with additional needs and by liaising with you and other professionals who are already supporting you we will have a plan for a smooth transition into nursery. 

From the time your child starts you will have a Key Person working with you and your child. They will be planning your child’s learning experiences by carrying out observations and assessing their learning and development level according to our curriculum, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).  If your child is between 24 and 36 months we will also be completing a 2 year old development check. Should we have any concerns we will discuss these with you and our settings SENCO who will identify ways that your child can be supported both at home and in the setting. The SENCO can also signpost or refer to other services who may be able to support you and your child. 

A Setting Support Plan will be drawn up by the settings SENCO along with input from parents/carers and any professionals supporting the child.  The plan is followed daily by your child’s Key Person and this is reviewed and revised each term by the SENCO.  A copy of the plan is given to parents/carers each term once any revisions have been agreed.

How will the curriculum be matched to meet children's developmental needs?

How will the curriculum be matched to meet children's developmental needs?

At Sunshine Day Nursery each child is planned for individually. Through regular observation and assessment, we can establish where your child’s learning and development is according to our curriculum, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Your child’s Key Person and SENCO can then plan your child’s ‘next steps’ for learning.

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

Our staff work in conjunction with Speech and Language Therapists, enabling us to provide additional support in specific areas.  We also work with and alongside a number of health and social care professionals who visit the setting regularly and provide us with ideas and strategies to further support the children. These workers are all experienced in their own fields and help staff to support your child in specific areas.

We also work alongside One Point services who can provide support both in your own home and in the setting for you and your child.

Speech and language development is a high priority for us. We have many programmes that can be used on a daily basis to support your child with their speaking, attention and listening and understanding of language.

What training have the staff supporting children with SEND had, or are having?

What training have the staff supporting children with SEND had, or are having?

Our setting currently has one qualified SENCO, and an assistant SENCO. Most of our practitioners have qualified in Paediatric First Aid and many have received Autism training. In the past some of our staff have received training in administering an Epipen, and five members of staff have had practical training in working with children with diabetes.

How accessible is the early years setting environment? (indoors/outdoors)

How accessible is the early years setting environment? (indoors/outdoors)

Sunshine Day Nursery is a modern, purpose built building and has been designed to be wheelchair accessible. 

There are disabled parking bays in the car park, we have a disabled toilet in the main building, and everything is on one level.  If there are any issues that affect you or your child accessing the nursery then please discuss this with us to ensure these arrangements are in place prior to your child starting nursery. 

Should your child require specially adapted equipment for use within the nursery then we can arrange to access equipment from Durham County Council or apply for a bursary to buy this.

How will the early years provision prepare and support my child(ren's) transition to their next educational establishment?

How will the early years provision prepare and support my child(ren's) transition to their next educational establishment?

Prior to starting at our setting, we will offer a home visit or a play visit at nursery so that we can meet you and your child and discuss any specific needs that your child may have.  Should practitioners need to have any medical training to support your child then this can be arranged with health professionals before your child starts. 

When the time comes for your child to go to school a meeting will be arranged be-tween the nursery, the school and yourself to discuss how your child’s needs can be met, how we have been able to provide the support whilst they have been at the set-ting and any other transitional support they may need.

Disclaimer

Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.

Journey planner

Address: O'neill Drive  Peterlee  County Durham

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