A Local Parent Guide to Choosing the Right Early Years Setting.
Choosing a nursery is one of the most important decisions a parent makes during the early years. Every family has different expectations and each child has their own personality, interests and needs. With so many nurseries across Ryton, Crawcrook, Blaydon and Prudhoe, it can be difficult to understand what sets each one apart.
This guide brings together ten well known nurseries in the local area. It is written to support parents with a balanced and neutral overview. The aim is simple. Help families compare local options fairly so they can find the setting that feels right for their child.
Here is an overview of ten well known nurseries in the local area, followed by an additional outdoor learning option that many families use.
| Nursery | Area | Approach Summary | Best For | What Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Magpies Nursery | Ryton | Blended approach using Montessori, Reggio, outdoor learning and EYFS | Families wanting a balanced mix of structure, curiosity and nature based learning | Warm environment, varied learning style, community focus |
| Willows Montessori Nursery | Ryton | Pure Montessori method | Children who enjoy independence, order and practical tasks | Long established and highly consistent |
| Little Adventurers Day Nursery | Crawcrook | Curiosity inspired, natural and sensory play | Children who enjoy calm, open ended exploration | Natural materials and homely feel |
| Willows Montessori Nursery | Crawcrook | Montessori approach in a smaller village setting | Parents who want Montessori but a quieter site | Structured routines and self led learning |
| St Agnes Day Nursery | Crawcrook | Traditional early years model | Families who prefer clear routines and familiar activities | Long standing nursery within the village |
| Spring Nursery | Blaydon | EYFS based with creative and outdoor play | Parents seeking simple, consistent care | Easy access for Blaydon families |
| Blaydon West Nursery | Blaydon |
EYFS-focused school nursery with structured routines |
Families wanting a smooth transition into primary school |
Predictable routines, and early preparation for Reception |
| Blaydon pre-school | Blaydon |
EYFS-based provision with child-led play and a strong community ethos |
Families who want a warm, nurturing and affordable nursery. |
Supportive staff team, inclusive environment, and strong parent communication |
| My Little Kingdom Day Nursery | Prudhoe | Modern nursery with a wide activity range | Families travelling between Prudhoe and Ryton | Spacious rooms and flexible provision |
| Stepping Stones Nursery | Prudhoe | Play-based early years curriculum | Families wanting nurturing, structured routines | Warm staff team and strong community reputation. |
The little magpies, Ryton
Area: Ryton
Approach: Blended Montessori, Reggio, outdoor learning and EYFS
Best For: Families wanting a balanced mix of structure, curiosity and nature based learning
What Stands Out: Warm environment, varied learning style, strong community feel
Willows Montessori Nursery, Ryton
Area: Ryton
Approach: Pure Montessori
Best For: Children who enjoy independence, order and practical life tasks
What Stands Out: Long established, highly consistent Montessori provision
Little Adventurers Day Nursery, Crawcrook
Area: Crawcrook
Approach: Curiosity inspired, natural and sensory play
Best For: Children who prefer calm, open ended exploration
What Stands Out: Natural materials, homely feel, calm environment
Willows Montessori Nursery, Crawcrook
Area: Crawcrook
Approach: Montessori approach in a smaller village setting
Best For: Parents wanting Montessori in a quieter location
What Stands Out: Structured routines and strong self led learning
St Agnes Day Nursery, Crawcrook
Area: Crawcrook
Approach: Traditional early years model
Best For: Families who prefer clear routines and familiar activities
What Stands Out: Long standing nursery with local trust
Spring Nursery, Blaydon
Area: Blaydon
Approach: EYFS based with creative and outdoor play
Best For: Parents seeking simple, consistent care
What Stands Out: Easy access for Blaydon families, reliable provision
Blaydon West Nursery, Blaydon
Area: Blaydon
Approach: EYFS-focused school nursery with structured routines and clear daily expectations
Best For: Families wanting a smooth transition into primary school and a consistent, classroom-style environment
What Stands Out: Strong community reputation, predictable routines, and early preparation for Reception
Blaydon Pre-school, Blaydon
Area: Blaydon
Approach: EYFS-based early years provision with structured routines, child-led play and a strong community ethos
Best For: Families who want a warm, nurturing and affordable nursery embedded in the local community
What Stands Out: Supportive staff team, inclusive environment, strong parent communication and a calm, friendly atmosphere
My Little Kingdom Day Nursery, Prudhoe
Area: Prudhoe
Approach: Modern nursery with a wide activity range
Best For: Families travelling between Prudhoe and Ryton
What Stands Out: Spacious rooms and flexible provision
High Hopes Nursery, Prudhoe
Area: Ovingham / Prudhoe
Approach: Child-led early years curriculum with a mix of structured play, outdoor learning and nurturing individual support
Best For: Families wanting a modern, warm, and well-resourced nursery close to Prudhoe
What Stands Out: Excellent parent feedback, caring staff team, spacious indoor areas and strong outdoor opportunities
1. Little Magpies Nursery, Ryton
Little Magpies offers a blended learning environment that uses elements from several well respected early years approaches. Children experience Montessori style independence, Reggio style creativity, curiosity based play, outdoor learning and EYFS guidance in a balanced way. This gives children structure and freedom at the same time.
2. Willows Montessori Nursery, Ryton
Willows Montessori in Ryton delivers a traditional Montessori education. Children choose their own activities, work at their own pace and use real materials to build independence and focus. Staff guide children gently and the rooms are organised and predictable. This setting suits children who thrive with order, calm and clear structure.
3. Little Adventurers Day Nursery, Crawcrook
Little Adventurers is inspired by the Curiosity Approach. The rooms use neutral colours, natural textures and open ended resources that encourage exploration. The environment feels cosy and home like which helps many children relax into independent play. This setting works well for children who enjoy sensory experiences and calm discovery based activities.
4. Willows Montessori Nursery, Ryton
This smaller Willows site follows the same Montessori principles as the Ryton setting. Children take part in structured practical life activities, early maths and literacy materials and independent learning tasks. It will appeal to families who want Montessori teaching but with a smaller village atmosphere.
5. St Anges, Crawcrook
St Agnes is a long established nursery within Crawcrook. The team follow the EYFS closely and create a familiar routine that includes circle time, creative sessions, outdoor play and early literacy experiences. Families who value clarity and consistency often choose this nursery.
6. Spring Nursery, Blaydon
Spring Nursery offers a wide mix of creative play, learning opportunities and outdoor experiences. Staff support children with the EYFS and provide a balance between free play and structured activities. It is a straightforward and approachable option for families living in or near Blaydon.
7. Blaydon West Primary School Nursery
Blaydon West Primary School Nursery is a popular choice for families who want a school-based early years experience. Children take part in structured learning through the EYFS, supported by familiar routines and a calm classroom environment. Because the nursery is part of Blaydon West Primary School, many parents appreciate the continuity this offers when children move into Reception.
8. Blaydon Pre-School
Blaydon pre-school operates from Winlaton Youth & Community Centre and provides a welcoming early years environment for children aged 2 to 4. The setting follows the EYFS curriculum with a balance of structured activities, creative play and outdoor opportunities. Children benefit from consistent routines and supportive key workers, helping them develop social skills, communication and confidence. As a long-standing community-based nursery, BYCC is well known locally for its friendly approach and inclusive atmosphere.
9. My Little Kingdom Day Nursery, Prudhoe
Children’s Kingdom is a popular setting for families travelling between Prudhoe, Ryton and the wider Tyne Valley. It offers spacious rooms and a range of activity areas. This setting works well for children who enjoy variety across the day and a structured learning environment.
10. High Hopes Nursery, Prudhoe
High Hopes Day Nursery is a popular choice for families across Prudhoe and the Tyne Valley. The nursery offers a bright, welcoming environment where children learn through a balance of play-based exploration and gentle structure. With strong parent communication, thoughtful staff, and great access to outdoor play, it provides a supportive and engaging early years experience.
Honorable Mention – Gibside Forest School
Gibside Forest School is set within the National Trust grounds at Gibside and offers outdoor learning sessions for children of different ages. Forest School experiences help children build resilience, confidence and problem solving skills through activities like den building, natural crafts, exploration and seasonal challenges. These sessions are not full time childcare, but many local families use Forest School as an additional learning experience alongside their chosen nursery. It is a strong option for parents who value outdoor learning and want their child to spend more time in nature.
Local Update: Little Magpies Forest School Provision (Coming 2026)
Many families in Ryton and the surrounding areas value outdoor learning and nature-based experiences. Alongside Gibside Forest School, Little Magpies Nursery has recently announced that it will be opening its own private Forest School provision in 2026.
Set within protected greenbelt woodland, the new outdoor learning space will offer children an immersive environment to explore nature through a rich, EYFS-linked curriculum. Sessions will focus on confidence building, resilience, communication skills, physical development and hands-on discovery using natural materials.
This provision will be exclusive to enrolled Little Magpies children and aims to give families regular access to a safe, inspiring woodland setting that supports curiosity, wellbeing and adventure.
How to Choose the Right Nursery
Every nursery has its strengths. When visiting settings, parents often find it helpful to look at:
• How their child reacts to the environment
• Staff warmth and communication
• Outdoor access and physical play opportunities
• The balance between quiet and active spaces
• How behaviour and routines are managed
• How the setting prepares children for school
While we’ve provided an overveiw of some nurseries in the local area, it’s best for you to visit the ones of your choice and check their Ofsted reports!
A Simple Guide to Early Years Approaches
It can be confusing when nurseries refer to different teaching styles. Here is a quick summary.
Montessori
Supports independence, order and practical life skills.
Reggio Emilia
Encourages creativity and expression through collaborative projects.
Curiosity Approach
Uses natural materials and open ended resources to inspire exploration.
Outdoor Learning
Builds resilience and confidence through nature based experiences.
Many modern nurseries take ideas from all of these rather than following one strict model.
If You Prefer a Balanced Approach
Some families prefer a nursery that blends independence, creativity, outdoor play and gentle school readiness. Little Magpies offers this balanced mix and welcomes families who want to see how it works in everyday practice.
Parents can book a visit to meet the team and explore the environment:
Hear from Local Families
Choosing the right nursery is a journey filled with questions, hopes, and aspirations for your child’s future. Here’s what some local parents have to say about their experiences with our nursery.
