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Bacton Under Fives

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·
3.8(4 parent reviews)
·The Playcentre, c/o Bacton Community Primary School, Stowmarket, IP14 4LL · Suffolk
Number of places
50 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Bacton Under Fives, established in 1978 as a mother and toddler group, evolved into a full-day care setting, offering continuous childcare for 51 weeks a year, Monday to Friday, from 7:45 am to 5:30 pm. They cater to children aged 3 months to 4 years and 11 months, as well as providing out-of-school care for 5 to 11-year-olds, including before and after school programmes and holiday clubs.

The nursery provides a nurturing, home-like atmosphere aimed at transforming the lives of children and families. Their mission focuses on empowering children and staff by valuing individual contributions, fostering decision-making through consultation, and extending learning capabilities.

This commitment includes promoting well-being, respect, and positive attitudes towards social and cultural diversity, alongside nurturing ambition and celebrating achievements. All meals are prepared and cooked on-site, accommodating various dietary needs.

The setting also supports ongoing professional development for its staff, ensuring high-quality care and education aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

Our ethos

Bacton Under Fives aims to empower children and staff by valuing individual contributions, fostering decision-making through consultation, and extending learning capabilities. They are committed to promoting well-being, respect, and positive attitudes towards diversity, while nurturing ambition and celebrating achievements, all within a nurturing, home-like atmosphere aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

What it's like

Children eagerly wave goodbye to their parents when greeted by the incredibly nurturing staff who know the children and parents so well. Staff have worked hard since their last inspection, to provide stimulating and engaging indoor and outdoor learning environment. They ignite children's fascination with the world around them. Neutral tones contribute to a calming atmosphere and the environment is now organised in a way that meets the needs of all children. Staff provide resources and activities around their interests, which means children are highly motivated and curious learners.

Charity-runEstablished 1978All-year-round careMeals cooked on-siteBefore and After School Club

Pricing & funding

Charges are structured by age bands for children aged under five, offering a choice of hourly rates, all-day rates, and premium early morning or late afternoon sessions. Funded hours are offered term-time with potential stretching. Food packages, snacks, and daily consumables are charged separately.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • 0-2 years Hourly Rate£7.85 / hour
  • 0-2 years 8am-5pm All day rate£67.50 / day
  • 0-2 years 7.45-8am (premium)£4.00
  • 0-2 years 5-5.30pm (premium)£5.00
  • 2-3 years Hourly Rate£7.00 / hour

Good to know

  • Government funding is available for 38 weeks of the year, with options to stretch subject to availability.
  • Four weeks' minimum notice is required to book a holiday rate of 50% off usual fees for up to four weeks.
  • Snack and consumable charges apply per morning or afternoon session, doubling for full-day bookings.
  • Late collection incurs a penalty of £5 for the first 10 minutes, plus £10 for every 10 minutes thereafter.
  • Packed lunches must be nut-free; no fridge storage or reheating facilities are available.

Key facts

Food

All meals prepared and cooked on site, covering all children’s dietary requirements. Parents can provide nut-free packed lunches for older children, but no fridge storage or reheating is available.

Opening hours

7:45 am – 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks a year (closed for approximately 10 days over Christmas).

Session types

Full day care, Sessional care, Before school club, After school club, Holiday club

Age range

3 months to 11 years

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bacton Under Fives

Last inspected 17 October 2024 · Louisa Taylor

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children eagerly wave goodbye to their parents when greeted by the incredibly nurturing staff who know the children and parents so well. Staff have worked hard since their last inspection, to provide stimulating and engaging indoor and outdoor learning environment. They ignite children's fascination with the world around them. Neutral tones contribute to a calming atmosphere and the environment is now organised in a way that meets the needs of all children. Staff provide resources and activities around their interests, which means children are highly motivated and curious learners.

Inspector highlights

  • The management committee and staff have worked hard to address the weaknesses raised at the last two inspections.
  • Staff appreciate how the management committee play an active role in the day-to-day running of the nursery. This helps identify staff's training needs and their good role modelling helps improve the quality of teaching.
  • Babies and children develop a love of reading. Staff use books and plan activities around them that encompass the seven area of learning.
  • Children show respect for each other and spontaneously display kind behaviours. Staff provide consistent and meaningful praise for these actions, motivating children to repeat these positive behaviours.
  • There are improvements in the way mealtimes are organised.

Areas to develop

  • 1build on already good teaching and help staff to consider the arrangements for group activities to ensure all children remain focused and fully engaged in their learning
  • 2support staff to deliver consistent mealtime routines that encourage children's independence in managing their self-care needs.
Inspection #10326185 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents report how this promotes further learning at home.

Parents say they are extremely happy with daily communication they receive about their child's day.

They applaud the dedicated staff who they say build trusting and caring attachments with their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

When staff have any concerns about delays in children's speech, they offer communication support groups and seek advice from relevant agencies. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Staff have worked hard since their last inspection, to provide stimulating and engaging indoor and outdoor learning environment. The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Bacton Under Fives

3.8
(4)
Sadie Oliver
a year ago

My daughter loves it here. This is our 3rd generation going to this nursery. The staff are very welcoming and so lovely. They are amazing with my daughter. Thank you all 😀

Read on Google

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Inspection history

Date: September 2008

  • November 2024Good
  • October 2024Good
  • January 2024Requires improvement
  • November 2023Requires improvement
  • July 2023Inadequate
  • June 2023Inadequate
  • December 2019Good
  • October 2019Good
  • December 2015Good
  • October 2015Good
  • January 2015Requires improvement
  • December 2014Requires improvement
  • September 2008Good

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