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Buttercups Nursery School

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2024)
·
5.0(3 parent reviews) ·C/O Whiteley Community Centre, Gull Coppice, Fareham, PO15 7LA · Hampshire
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2024
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Buttercups Nursery School, a well-established childcare setting in Whiteley since 1998, offers a nurturing environment for children aged two years nine months to school age. Located within the Whiteley Community Centre, the nursery provides extensive indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

They focus on fostering independence and essential social skills through continuous provision, aiming to ensure children are well-prepared for school. The educational philosophy at Buttercups emphasises the significance of early friendships, viewing them as catalysts for developing compassionate, confident, and socially aware individuals.

They believe that early years education forms the bedrock for lifelong learning by promoting cognitive, social, and emotional development through engaging play, exploration, and positive interactions. Furthermore, the nursery champions play as crucial for nurturing creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a lasting enthusiasm for learning.

They particularly highlight nature play for its diverse and ever-changing environment, which stimulates children's imagination and offers infinite opportunities for discovery and learning.

Our ethos

Buttercups Nursery School Ltd. bases its educational philosophy on the belief that "early years education forms the bedrock for lifelong learning." They emphasise fostering independence, social skills, and cognitive, social, and emotional development through engaging play and exploration. The nursery champions nature play, seeing it as a vital tool for stimulating imagination and discovery, and believes that early friendships are key to developing compassionate, confident, and socially aware individuals.

What it's like

Children are warmly greeted by happy staff who support their personal, social, and emotional development. Staff encourage children to express their feelings, fostering self-regulation and understanding of their actions on others. Children are polite, caring, and considerate, supported by staff who role model positive behaviours and skillfully encourage amicable play.

Established since 1998Purpose-built settingLarge indoor and outdoor learning environmentFocus on independence and social skillsPlay-based learning

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by age bands for children from 2 years 9 months upwards, offering full-day, short-day, and school-day sessions. A discounted daily rate applies for full-time attendance. Funded hours are subject to a voluntary hourly contribution for extras, and hot or cold meals can be purchased separately.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • Full Day (2 years 9 months to 3-year-olds)£77.00 / day
  • Extended Day (2 years 9 months to 3-year-olds, 8am to 4pm)£63.00 / day
  • Extended Day (2 years 9 months to 3-year-olds, 9am to 3:30pm)£52.50 / day
  • 5 full days (2 years 9 months to 3-year-olds, 8am to 6pm)£75.00 / day
  • Ad hoc hours (2 years 9 months to 3-year-olds)£8.75 / hour

Good to know

  • Ad hoc hours are available but half-hourly rates are not offered.
  • A voluntary hourly contribution applies to funded hours to cover consumables, snacks, and activities.
  • Additional services and consumables are only available if the voluntary funded hour contribution is made.
  • Hours attended over the funded entitlement are charged at the session hourly rate.
  • Hot meals and cold teas can be purchased separately for children on qualifying sessions.

Key facts

Session types

Full Day (8am to 6pm), Extended Day (8am to 4pm), Extended Day (9am to 3:30pm), Ad hoc hours

Opening hours

8am to 6pm

Age range

2 years 9 months to School Age

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

1998

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Buttercups Nursery School

Last inspected 21 August 2024 · Kelley Ellis

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

Actions the provider must take

  • Managers have failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event as required.

What it's like to attend

Children are warmly greeted by happy staff who support their personal, social, and emotional development. Staff encourage children to express their feelings, fostering self-regulation and understanding of their actions on others. Children are polite, caring, and considerate, supported by staff who role model positive behaviours and skillfully encourage amicable play.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers are devoted and committed to ensuring they provide a safe, stimulating, and peaceful environment for staff to work, and children to thrive.
  • The curriculum in place is ambitious and well thought out, with clear vision and understanding of what children need to learn.
  • Children make good progress in their learning and development.
  • The key person system is strong, with tailored support and achievable next step targets.
  • Parent partnership is deeply rooted in the ethos of the nursery, with collaborative working to give children high quality care and learning.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop staff's skills in supporting children who are less confident to engage in more purposeful play and learning.
Inspection #10357235 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The key person system ensures children receive tailored support that is unique to them, with valuable information gathered from their starting points to provide appropriate and achievable next step targets.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Buttercups Nursery School

5.0
(3)
Adrian McCarthy
a year ago

From the moment we got in contact with Buttercups we have been extremly impressed with their values, processes and commitment to children they care for and their families. The management and staff do all they can to ensure the children are nutured, educated and cared for. Buttercups really set the standard for nurseries to follow they really are outstanding. We could not recommend enough.

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Louise Wilkie
2 years ago

My daughter thrived at this preschool - they are nuturing, hands on and do all they can to bring out the best in your child. She has made lifelong friendships well in to her school years and I'd recommend the setting to anyone looking for a family feel environment!

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Hayley Henson
2 years ago

A nurturing pre-school that ensures children are ready for starting school. Dedicated staff help personalise activities to cater for the needs of your child.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Buttercups Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: January 2010

  • August 2024Good
  • February 2020Outstanding
  • July 2015Outstanding
  • January 2010Good

Frequently asked about Buttercups Nursery School

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