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Castle Nursery and Preschool in Guildford (GU5)

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2025)
·
5.0(14 parent reviews)
·Guildford Road, Shamley Green, GUILDFORD, GU5 0RS · Surrey
Number of places
39 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2025
Local authority
Surrey

About this day nursery

Castle Nurseries & Pre-Schools has been dedicated to providing high-quality childcare since 1995, aiming to give children the best possible start in life. The nurseries are designed to offer a nurturing, home-like atmosphere where children feel secure and happy, supported by experienced early years educators.

The educational approach centres on play and discovery, fostering confidence and curiosity in young learners. With the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework as its core, the curriculum promotes independence, resilience, and social skills through a blend of child-led activities and adult-guided experiences, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

The nursery also emphasises outdoor education through its Forest School programme and provides healthy, home-cooked meals daily.

Our ethos

Castle Nurseries & Pre-Schools is dedicated to providing a high-quality, home-like environment that fosters confidence and curiosity. Their educational approach is centred on the EYFS framework, promoting independence, resilience, and social skills through a blend of child-led activities and adult-guided experiences. They also emphasise outdoor education via a Forest School programme.

What it's like

Staff are friendly, kind and warmly welcome children, helping them to settle quickly and feel secure. Managers and staff have high expectations for all children, including those with SEND, and monitor their progress to provide support where needed. Children play amicably and staff encourage them to explore their emotions, supporting their personal, social, and emotional development well.

Forest SchoolHome-cooked mealsEYFS curriculumExperienced educators

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Non-refundable registration fee£100.00 / session

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year

Food

Healthy, home-cooked meals every day

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Castle Nursery and Preschool

Last inspected 7 February 2025

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

Staff are friendly, kind and warmly welcome children, helping them to settle quickly and feel secure. Managers and staff have high expectations for all children, including those with SEND, and monitor their progress to provide support where needed. Children play amicably and staff encourage them to explore their emotions, supporting their personal, social, and emotional development well.

Inspector highlights

  • Leadership and management are effective, with strong and supportive leaders who utilise staff strengths and encourage professional development.
  • Managers and staff have created a curriculum that builds on children's knowledge and promotes independence, such as encouraging self-serving and self-care skills.
  • The arrangements in place to support children with SEND are effective, with passionate staff making timely referrals and seeking guidance from outside agencies.
  • Staff encourage politeness, good hygiene, and healthy eating, supporting children's physical development and independence during mealtimes.
  • Staff are watchful for hazards and carry out regular risk assessments, also involving children in identifying risks in the outdoor area to develop foundations for safety.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to recognise when opportunities arise to extend children's learning and interests further.
Inspection #10376573 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Managers and staff have high expectations of all children's learning and behaviour, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For instance, staff monitor children's progress by assessing them in all areas of development and offer support where it is needed. The arrangements in place to support children with SEND are effective. Passionate staff make timely referrals and seek guidance and support from outside agencies where needed. Staff work with parents and other professionals and create personalised plans and set goals to help all children make the progress they are capable of.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy taking part in a variety of educational and fun activities indoors and outdoors. For instance, staff capture children's attention and encourage them to explore the hailstones falling outside. Staff support children as they walk around the garden looking for anything dangerous before going out to play.

Parent Reviews of Castle Nursery and Preschool

5.0
(14)
Philippa Lewis
a year ago

Our daughter has been attending Castle Daycare & Preschool in Shamley Green for nearly a year, starting at just 9 months old, and we are delighted with the care she receives. Her key person, Hannah, has built a wonderful bond with her, always communicating openly with us and creating such a warm, nurturing environment. Special thanks also go to Phoebe, Megan, and Apple, who work alongside Hannah in her room and contribute so positively to her daily experience. Jess, the nursery manager, goes above and beyond to ensure that parents feel confident and supported, making us feel that our daughter is in very safe hands. We highly recommend Castle Daycare for anyone looking for a caring, engaging, and secure place for their little one.

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grace edy
2 years ago

We would highly recommend Castle Nursery - Shamley Green. From day one the staff at Castle have been nothing short of amazing - they are attentive, well trained, always have time to discuss things happening in your child's life as well as give advice when asked. I feel like they support me in raising my child and I never feel judged when I have questions to ask. The facilities are fantastic with a lovely outdoor area with differing areas that offer a range of activities. The natural woodland next to the school also offers lovely shade in the summer months. My daughter runs into nursery every day and is happily exhausted at collection. Thank you so much to the Castle Nursery team for care and time you put into our daughters development and growth.

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Charlotte Bardon
2 years ago

We cannot recommend Castle Nursery, Shamley Green highly enough! When our son started attending (5 days/week) aged 11 months the team were reassuring and supportive during this transition, he settled in well and couldn’t be happier there. The Nursery fosters a caring and inclusive environment through its team (who are all lovely!). The setting provides a wide range of indoor & outdoor activities, a well thought through ‘curriculum’ and a nutritious and varied menu throughout the week. Communication from the Nursery to parents is proactive and clear. We couldn’t ask for more from a Nursery!

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Sarah McMorrow
3 years ago

My son has attended the nursery since he was 1 years old, he attends five days a week. My daughter also attended Castle Nursery prior to starting school. Both my children have loved nursery. The Shamley Green setting is very warm and friendly, the staff are kind and engaging. The garden is full of activities, and they have lots of extra curricular activities such as forest school. The staff are incredible, and I like them all. Jess is a fantastic manager. My son has formed lovely friendships with the children and staff. The team make lots of extra effort to put on special performances with a nativity and lots of mornings for parents to come in and see their children play and meet other parents. I highly recommend this nursery.

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Helen McCarren
a year ago

I'd highly recommend Castle Nursery in Shamley Green. My daughter has now been at the nursery for a year and a half and she absolutely loves it. All the staff are amazing and she loves them all. It is such a supportive, caring and fun environment. I couldn't wish for anything more.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Castle Nursery and Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: April 2006

  • February 2025Good
  • May 2019Good
  • January 2016Good
  • February 2010Outstanding
  • April 2006Outstanding

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