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Caterpillar Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
·
4.1(9 parent reviews) ·88 Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HF · Leicestershire
Number of places
47 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Leicestershire

About this day nursery

Caterpillar Day Nursery, located in a beautifully renovated three-story Victorian house in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, provides a nurturing environment for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. The nursery focuses on allowing children to develop at their own pace through a balance of play and structured learning, ensuring they reach their full potential within a secure setting.

They pride themselves on offering clean, bright, and airy rooms designed for exploration and engagement, with age bands that are flexible and tailored to each child's individual needs. Beyond the nursery, Caterpillar also extends its services to an Out of School Club for children aged 4 to 11 years at Meadowdale Primary School, offering before-school care, after-school activities, and a holiday club with various trips and engaging activities throughout Leicestershire school holidays.

The nursery values strong parent partnerships, recognising the crucial role parents play in a child’s life.

Our ethos

Caterpillar Day Nursery focuses on allowing children to develop at their own pace through a balance of play and structured learning. They value strong parent partnerships, recognising the crucial role parents play in a child’s life.

What it's like

Children receive a warm welcome from caring, attentive staff and engage in a stimulating environment. Staff build strong relationships, offering comfort and reassurance. As a result, children feel safe, secure and happy and their communication and language development is prioritised.

Renovated Victorian HouseFlexible Age GroupingOut of School ClubHoliday Club

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

Age range

6 weeks to 5 years, Out of School Club for 4 to 11 years

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Caterpillar Day Nursery

Last inspected 9 July 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

Children receive a warm welcome from caring, attentive staff and engage in a stimulating environment. Staff build strong relationships, offering comfort and reassurance. As a result, children feel safe, secure and happy and their communication and language development is prioritised.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders implement a well-planned curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do.
  • Leaders and staff provide timely and targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Leaders and staff place a strong emphasis on developing children's independence.
  • Staff actively teach children the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
  • Staff provide a variety of experiences that broaden children's understanding of the world.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the planning of group times to ensure individual learning needs are met and to support children to maintain higher levels of engagement
  • 2support staff to ensure that they consistently manage children's behaviour to help children develop a sense of what is right and wrong.
Inspection #10392165 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the nursery, praising the excellent communication and the home-from-home environment.

They value how approachable and friendly leaders and staff are.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff provide timely and targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work effectively with external agencies to ensure children are fully included and make good progress from their individual starting points.

Outdoor space

Staff provide regular access to outdoor play, where children run, climb and jump. These activities support children's physical development effectively. Older children attend regular forest school sessions at the local primary school, where they explore nature and build confidence outdoors.

Parent Reviews of Caterpillar Day Nursery

4.1
(9)
Catherine Couchman
10 months ago

My daughter enjoys her time here, doing a wide variety of fun activities and making friends. Her carers are always warm, and make effort to consider her individual needs. I couldn’t be happier with choosing this nursery for support when I’m working.

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Katie Brewin
2 years ago

We love Caterpillar! From our initial visit when I was pregnant, through to Felix starting nursery to now having been there for almost 2 years we are so happy with the kindness, professionalism and family atmosphere Caterpillar create! Felix has made such lovely bonds with both the staff and peers meaning he loves going to nursery, making leaving him so much easier. They have taken the time to get to know Felix, what he dislikes and likes.. especially the 2nd or 3rd helpings at almost every meal! Would highly recommend!

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Laura Pennington
2 years ago

My son is just about to start school after spending 2.5 years at Caterpillar nursery. All of the staff are very friendly and know each child individually, regardless of which room they work in. All of the food is very healthy and cooked from scratch by their chef. My son has developed so much during his time there and grown in confidence enormously. Would definitely recommend Caterpillar Nursery to anyone

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Michael Smith
5 years ago

We visited ever nursery in Harborough before choosing Caterpillars. That choice has easily been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. The staff are incredible; they are friendly, professional and they genuinely care for every child in the nursery. My children love attending nursery and can’t wait to see their friends and the staff; it really is a home from home. As a parent I can leave the children knowing they’ll be safe, cared for and allowed to learn and explore. Caterpillar’s is a great place and great value for money. We love Caterpillars.

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Sim Brown (Simone Brown)
2 years ago

My son has been with the nursery from the newborn stage, and I couldn’t recommend this nursery enough. All the team are lovely and supportive and really care about the children. Everyone is really friendly too. If we plan to have anymore children, I want them to come to this nursery!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Caterpillar Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: November 2010

  • July 2025Good
  • August 2019Good
  • August 2018Good
  • August 2015Good
  • November 2010Good

Frequently asked about Caterpillar Day Nursery

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