# Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene

Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene is a sessional pre-school at Oakerside Dene Lodge, Stanhope Chase, Peterlee, SR8 1NJ, in Shotton, Durham. It is registered for 12 children. Its Ofsted report card (January 2026) grades inclusion Strong standard, curriculum and teaching Strong standard, achievement Strong standard, behaviour and routines Strong standard, children's welfare and well-being Strong standard and leadership and governance Strong standard; safeguarding standards met. It is run by Playology Limited.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/playology-forest-school-castle-eden-dene-2758442  
Last checked 30 June 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: Oakerside Dene Lodge, Stanhope Chase, Peterlee, SR8 1NJ
- Registered places: 12
- Run by: [Playology Limited](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/playology-limited)
- Ofsted URN: 2758442

## Ofsted and official records

Report card inspection, 19 January 2026. Report cards grade each area separately; there is no single headline grade.

| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
| Curriculum and teaching | Strong standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Behaviour and routines | Strong standard |
| Children's welfare and well-being | Strong standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |

Safeguarding standards met.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2758442

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since September 2023 (Reference 2758442). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2758442)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 19 January 2026). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2758442)
- Registered places: 12 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2758442)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: Oakerside Dene Lodge, Stanhope Chase, Peterlee, SR8 1NJ

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=54.747363,-1.337824

- 4 bus stops within 400 m
- Playground: Playground, 0.4 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


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Air Education |  | 4–14 |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| Shotton Hall Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Standards maintained (January 2025) |  | 0.6 miles |
| Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Good (April 2023) | yes | 0.7 miles |
| Dene House Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | Report card (July 2026) |  | 1.0 miles |
| Howletch Lane Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Quality of education: Requires improvement; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (September 2024) | yes | 1.0 miles |
| Hesleden Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Report card (January 2026) | yes | 1.2 miles |
| Seascape Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Report card (January 2026) | yes | 1.3 miles |
| Acre Rigg Infant School | Primary | 2–7 | Report card (May 2026) | yes | 1.4 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [The Sunshine Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-sunshine-day-nursery-ey136884) | Good |  |  | 0.5 miles |
| [The Sunshine Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-sunshine-nursery-ey345360) | Outstanding |  |  | 1.0 miles |
| [Howletch & Shotton Primary Childcare](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/howletch-and-shotton-primary-childcare-ey362698) | Good |  |  | 1.0 miles |
| [The Sunshine Day Nursery @ Seascape Children's Centre](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-sunshine-day-nursery-seascape-childrens-centre-ey386626) | Good |  |  | 1.2 miles |
| [Hazel Dene Childcare Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/hazel-dene-childcare-ltd-ey396157) | Good |  |  | 1.2 miles |
| [Positive Steps Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/positive-steps-nursery-ey376425) | Good |  |  | 1.2 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene's Ofsted rating?

Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene was inspected on 19 January 2026 and given an Ofsted report card. Report cards grade each area separately rather than giving one headline grade: inclusion Strong standard, curriculum and teaching Strong standard, achievement Strong standard, behaviour and routines Strong standard, children's welfare and well-being Strong standard and leadership and governance Strong standard. Safeguarding standards met.

### How many children can Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene take?

Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene is registered with Ofsted for up to 12 children at any one time.

### Who runs Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene?

Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene is run by Playology Limited, which runs 3 nurseries.

### What is the nearest station to Playology Forest School Castle Eden Dene?

Horden is the nearest station we know of, 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2758442)
- 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.