Food
Meals prepared by a dedicated chef, seasonal menus on a three-week rotation, mindful of dietary and cultural requirements, fresh filtered drinking water, milk and water at mealtimes. 5-Star Food Standards Agency award.
Bear's House Nursery in Hastings
Ofsted: Expected standard·
5.0(3 parent reviews)
·11 Holmesdale Gardens, Hastings, TN34 1LY · East Sussex
Number of places
50 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2025
Local authority
East Sussex
About this day nursery
Bear's House Nursery, established in 2012 in Hastings, operates from non-domestic premises, offering childcare for children aged 0-4 years. The nursery provides a stimulating environment where children are eager to learn and develop across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
The dedicated staff team creates a calm and organised atmosphere, fostering strong bonds with the children and ensuring their well-being. The nursery places a strong emphasis on inclusive practices, providing tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are learning English as an additional language (EAL).
Leaders and staff maintain clear expectations for positive behaviour, encouraging children to build lasting friendships and show respect. Children enjoy daily outdoor play, utilising a garden equipped with challenging climbing equipment to enhance their physical development.
The nursery actively involves parents in their child's learning journey, valuing their input and fostering a strong sense of belonging for every child.
Our ethos
Bear's House Nursery aims to provide a stimulating environment that supports the Early Years Foundation Stage. Their approach encourages children's development, independence, and critical thinking and includes a special focus on outdoor activities such as Forest School, growing vegetables, and exploring local attractions. They also foster a sense of community through outings and engagement with local care homes.
What it's like
Since the last inspection, leaders have responded well to the actions that were set, and these are hugely benefitting the experiences of children. Children experience a calm and organised setting and arrive eager to start their day. All children achieve well and are supported to develop the skills they need to move on in their education. Children have a strong sense of belonging at this nursery. Staff encourage families to share information about their home lives and religious beliefs to enable them to celebrate these at nursery.
Calm and organisedInclusive provisionPositive behaviourOutdoor learningStrong relationships
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Opening hours
7.30am until 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year (closing for Christmas break)
Age range
3 months to 5 years (Holiday Club up to 8 years)
Session types
Full day, Term-time only (limited spaces)
Established
2012
Ofsted Inspection — new report card
Expected standard
Last inspected Dec 2025
Grade summary
Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—
Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.
Category grades
AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Bear's House Nursery
Last inspected 10 December 2025 · Sarah Taylor-Smith
What it's like to attend
Since the last inspection, leaders have responded well to the actions that were set, and these are hugely benefitting the experiences of children. Children experience a calm and organised setting and arrive eager to start their day. All children achieve well and are supported to develop the skills they need to move on in their education. Children have a strong sense of belonging at this nursery. Staff encourage families to share information about their home lives and religious beliefs to enable them to celebrate these at nursery.
Inspector highlights
- Leaders and staff set clear expectations for positive behaviour.
- Children build lasting friendships and show positive and respectful behaviour.
- Staff place a high emphasis on supporting children who may face barriers to achievement, including those with SEND.
- Children are curious and enthusiastic learners, preparing them well for the next stage in their learning.
- Children have a strong sense of belonging and are supported to explore their home lives and religious beliefs.
Areas to develop
- 1Leaders should support staff to extend opportunities for children to develop their independence skills, particularly around self-care.
Inspection #10371094 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff place a high emphasis on supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders ensure staff can identify children needing additional support and engage parents early where gaps are identified. Staff collaborate with external professionals and use additional funding effectively for highly positive outcomes.
Outdoor space
Children enjoy daily opportunities to use the garden as part of their routine, with increased enjoyment of challenging climbing equipment where they learn to manoeuvre safely.
EAL / language support
Children learning more than one language are supported by staff who greet them in their home language and parents share recordings of familiar songs for children to listen to at nursery.
Parent Reviews of Bear's House Nursery
5.0
(3)
Rema Begum
2 years ago
Absolutely adore this nursery! My son has a special requirement! Without batting an eyelid they welcomed him with open arms! They are so easy to get hold of, and the staff are just soo amazing! Absolutely would recommend this nursery 100x over!
Read on Google
Stacie Stockwell
8 years ago
Fantastic nursery! I could not ask for a lovely place for my daughter to go to, all the staff and Management are so lovely, friendly and very respectful I just wish I sent my daughter there as soon as she had started! Any problems I have or anything they are there in support in anyway that they can help. I would 100% Recommend this nursery. And if your little one loves been outside this is the place to go! Sun, sown or if little ones want to go out, if staff think it’s safe then the kids are outside! And that’s fab as my little one loves playing out! Highly recommend bears!
Read on Google
William Taylor
8 years ago
Excellent nursery, nice staff and a friendly atmosphere!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Bear's House Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: May 2013
The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Good). We're re-checking it against the original report.
- March 2025Requires improvement
- August 2019Good
- July 2016Good
- May 2013Requires improvement
Frequently asked about Bear's House Nursery
Nearby day nurseries in Hastings
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