# First Steps

First Steps is a full-day nursery at 129 Medway, Great Lumley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 4HU, in Great Lumley, Durham. It is registered for 44 children. Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection in January 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It has a Google rating of 5.0 from 1 review (November 2026).

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/first-steps-ey415762  
Last checked 4 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: 129 Medway, Great Lumley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 4HU
- Registered places: 44
- Phone: 0191 388 1978
- Ofsted URN: EY415762

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection on 31 January 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
- Personal development: Outstanding
- Leadership and management: Outstanding

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY415762

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since August 2010 (Reference EY415762). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY415762)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 31 January 2023). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY415762)
- Registered places: 44 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY415762)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: 129 Medway, Great Lumley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 4HU

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=54.838030,-1.545536

- 13 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Great Lumley Millennium Green, 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.2 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Durham there are about 4.6 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 1 review (as of 4 November 2026)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumley Infant and Nursery School | Primary | 2–7 | Good (May 2024) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Lumley Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | School remains Good (April 2024) |  | 0.2 miles |
| Red Rose Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (November 2023) | yes | 1.2 miles |
| St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Chester-Le-Street | Primary | 3–11 | Good (October 2023) | yes | 1.4 miles |
| Woodlea Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (May 2024) | yes | 1.4 miles |
| Cestria Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Standards maintained (December 2024) | yes | 1.6 miles |
| Newker Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (May 2025) | yes | 1.7 miles |
| Bournmoor Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (July 2024) | yes | 1.7 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Tiny Tinkers Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/tiny-tinkers-nursery-2713030) | Good |  |  | 1.3 miles |
| [Mains House Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/mains-house-nursery-ey551880) | Outstanding |  |  | 1.6 miles |
| [Bright Star Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/bright-star-nursery-ey441200) | Good |  |  | 1.8 miles |
| [Dubmire Daycare](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/dubmire-daycare-ey542957) | Good |  |  | 1.8 miles |
| [Chilton Meadows Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/chilton-meadows-nursery-ey217668) | Good |  |  | 1.9 miles |
| [Adventure Valley Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/adventure-valley-day-nursery-2548520) | Good |  |  | 2.2 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is First Steps's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated First Steps Outstanding at its inspection on 31 January 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can First Steps take?

First Steps is registered with Ofsted for up to 44 children at any one time.

### What is the nearest station to First Steps?

Chester-le-Street is the nearest station we know of, 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact First Steps?

You can call 0191 388 1978.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY415762)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 4 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=First+Steps+Nursery&query_place_id=ChIJc-0iDfJ8fkgRDMOlnKxJ3fo)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.