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Charlie Bears Childcare

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2025)
·
5.0(7 parent reviews) ·38 Church street, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8AR · Gloucestershire
Number of places
12 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2025
Local authority
Gloucestershire

About this day nursery

Charlie Bears Childcare Limited, established in 2023, provides care for children aged 0-3 years in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. The nursery operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, closing only for bank holidays, one week in early August, and two weeks over Christmas.

The setting has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted following its inspection on 20th August 2025. Children are welcomed into a warm and happy environment, settling in with ease due to staff gathering comprehensive information about their needs and consistently providing support.

Strong bonds are formed between children and their key persons, promoting a sense of security and confidence to explore activities. Older children enjoy outdoor play, refining their physical skills by climbing, balancing on see-saws, and riding push-along bicycles, with staff encouraging them to put on their own shoes for outdoor adventures.

The curriculum is designed to foster curiosity and build upon existing knowledge, with staff engaging children in meaningful conversations and using rich language, such as describing a see-saw's movement as being 'like a boat in the ocean'. Staff at Charlie Bears Childcare Limited are attuned to children's individual needs, incorporating home language words and planning culturally relevant activities.

Daily routines are utilised to promote meaningful interactions and language development, with staff responding gently and sensitively to children's care needs. The nursery also focuses on developing early literacy and language skills through engaging story and song times, where children participate in repeated phrases and act out parts of familiar stories.

What it's like

Children arrive at this welcoming nursery happy and ready to learn, separating from their parents with ease. Staff gather information about children's needs, helping them settle quickly and receive consistent support. Children form trusting bonds with their key person, displaying positive attitudes to learning, concentrating well, cooperating with friends, and confidently engaging in new experiences.

Welcoming environmentStrong parent partnershipsIndividualised careFocus on communicationPositive attitudes to learning

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, excluding bank holidays, one week at the start of August and two weeks at Christmas.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Charlie Bears Childcare

Last inspected 20 August 2025 · Holly Smith

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 arrive at this welcoming nursery happy and ready to learn, separating from their parents with ease. Staff gather information about children's needs, helping them settle quickly and receive consistent support. Children form trusting bonds with their key person, displaying positive attitudes to learning, concentrating well, cooperating with friends, and confidently engaging in new experiences.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders ensure staff understand their roles and responsibilities through thorough induction and provide ongoing training and support.
  • Staff build strong partnerships with parents, sharing daily updates and offering sensitive support for key milestones.
  • Staff recognise and value children's individuality, using home language words and planning culturally relevant activities.
  • Staff respond gently and sensitively to children's care needs, promoting meaningful interactions and language development through daily routines.
  • Children learn to manage their behaviour effectively due to consistent routines, praise for efforts, and clear expectations from staff.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to minimise interruptions during group activities so that children sustain focus and remain fully engaged in their learning
  • 2increase opportunities for children to complete tasks independently, so they develop self-care skills, confidence and independence in everyday routines.
Inspection #10399790 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Older children refine their physical skills by climbing on apparatus, balancing on see-saws, and riding push-along bicycles with control. Staff encourage children to put on their shoes for outdoor play.

Parent Reviews of Charlie Bears Childcare

5.0
(7)
Hannah Duffy
3 months ago

So happy to have found such an amazing childcare setting for our son! Charlie and her team are outstanding. Super professional but extremely caring and attentive. Our son loves going to nursery and it has helped enormously with his development. They are great at communicating with parents and have created a really warm and fun environment for all the children there. 10/10 recommend!

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Georgina Tweddell
7 months ago

My daughter absolutely loved her time at Charlie Bears. Charlie and her team were so caring, welcoming, and attentive – they really took the time to get to know her as an individual. During her time there, I saw such a wonderful improvement in her confidence and development. She always came home happy, full of stories, and excited to go back the next day. The nursery had such a warm, nurturing atmosphere with lots of fun and engaging activities. We are so grateful for the amazing start Charlie Bears gave her, and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough!

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Emma Kennedy
11 months ago

Outstanding nursery! My son has been going to Charlie Bears since the start and he has developed leaps and bounds due to all the time and attention given to him from Charlie and the team. I like the fact Charlie and the team send updates and pictures during the day which I find is important to the parents. I love seeing the photos of my son doing various activities with a big smile on his face. I am grateful for all the support and care Charlie and the team have provided to my son. Highly recommend Charlie Bears!

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Damilola Gloria
2 years ago

Charlie and her team provided outstanding care for my daughter who was 16months when she joined the nursery. Following a challenging experience at a previous nursery, I was truly impressed by the patience and attention shown by Charlie in helping my daughter settle in smoothly. Thanks to their efforts, my daughter now happily bids us goodbye at drop-off and seems genuinely content at the nursery. The regular updates we receive about her activities and well-being further demonstrate the level of care and attention she is receiving. I have been thoroughly impressed by the support and commitment shown by the nursery staff, particularly Charlie. I wholeheartedly recommend this nursery to any parent seeking a nurturing and supportive environment for their child.

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Abi C
a year ago

There is no childcare setting quite like Charlie Bears. Our baby attended for 8 months before we relocated and he absolutely adored it there, and it was clear how much the staff adored him in return. They're a nursery that has all the benefits of being such but with small ratios and a personalised feel that other places can't compete with. Our toddler has developed in leaps and bounds thanks to them. Charlie and the team are wonderful - nothing is too much, their communication is incredible and they truly care about the children. Nurseries like this are a rarity so if you get the opportunity to send your child here don't think twice. Thank you Charlie, Becky, May & co, for all you've done, you'll be missed SO much 🧡

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Reviews from Google for Charlie Bears Childcare. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

20 August 2025

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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