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Circus Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·
4.3(6 parent reviews) ·Pittville Circus Road, CHELTENHAM, GL52 2PZ · Gloucestershire
Number of places
119 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
Gloucestershire

About this day nursery

Circus Day Nursery, located in Cheltenham, is an award-winning independent family-run nursery established in 1997 by a devoted mother and teacher. The nursery operates from a beautiful Regency, listed house with a large flourishing garden on Pittville Circus Road, near Pittville Park, offering a home-from-home mindful philosophy.

It has been recognised as one of the top 20 best nurseries in the South West for multiple years (2018-2021). The nursery provides an inclusive price for all age groups, covering snacks, meals, nappies, accessories, disposal, and baby formula milk, with clear pricing for part-time, full-time, and weekly sessions.

They also accept various government funding schemes for children aged nine months and older, spreading funded hours over 51 weeks to ensure consistency for working parents. The team is described as loyal and dedicated, sharing a passion for early years education and committed to monitoring each child’s development in a caring setting.

The curriculum includes learning languages, speech and language development, a little library, a natural area and Forest School, and an approach to mini mindfulness. The nursery prides itself on offering a seamless journey of experience and learning, preparing children for their transition to school.

They also have talented chefs who prepare freshly cooked, nutritious meals on site, accommodating dietary requirements.

Our ethos

A devoted mother and teacher founded Circus Day Nursery in 1997 because she wanted to follow her passion of work and make a positive difference within the Early Years of children's lives. We will be pioneering “moments of mindfulness” in nursery and pre-school, learning strategies for calm in life. Staff share passion and dedication in monitoring and tracking your child’s development and behaviour to support each child’s optimal learning and development in a mindful caring setting.

What it's like

Children are safe and secure in this calming nursery, forming strong attachments with familiar staff. Staff use information from parents and their own observations to support children in settling quickly and transitioning through the nursery. The curriculum is broad and meaningful, preparing children for their next stage of learning and school.

Award-winningFamily-runInclusive pricingMindful philosophyGovernment funding accepted

Pricing & funding

Fees are fully inclusive of meals, snacks, nappies, and baby formula, though these are charged as extras during government-funded hours. The nursery offers part-time, full-time, and discounted weekly sessions. A one-off registration fee applies.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • One-off registration fee applies to cover administration for new starters.
  • Fees include snacks, meals, nappies, accessories, and baby formula milk.
  • Consumables and meals are charged as extra during government funded hours.
  • Offers part-time, full-time, and discounted weekly sessions.

Key facts

Opening hours

All year round (excluding Christmas and bank holidays)

Food

All snacks, meals, nappies, accessories, disposal and baby formula milk included (except for funded hours)

Age range

9 months and older

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Circus Day Nursery

Last inspected 8 October 2024

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

What it's like to attend

Children are safe and secure in this calming nursery, forming strong attachments with familiar staff. Staff use information from parents and their own observations to support children in settling quickly and transitioning through the nursery. The curriculum is broad and meaningful, preparing children for their next stage of learning and school.

Inspector highlights

  • The curriculum successfully builds on children
  • Staff know all children very well and quickly identify any gaps in learning.
  • Parents speak highly of the nursery and the excellent level of support they receive.
  • Staff are good role models for children, showing respect and calm manner.
  • Staff use effective strategies to help children understand the routine and what will happen next.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the organisation of transitions throughout the day to ensure that children receive consistent support, guidance and engagement at these times.
Inspection #10323887 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that the provider and staff always make themselves available should they need to share information.

They say that staff are kind and nurturing and that their children love to attend.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff quickly identify any gaps in learning and work closely with parents and external professionals to get children the help they need. They have enhanced their knowledge on how to support children and close gaps in learning by attending 'Dingley's Promise' training, and receive high levels of support from the provider to create and implement individualised plans.

Outdoor space

The inspectors 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 Circus Day Nursery

4.3
(6)
Nicola B
a year ago

As a mother of four and a Grandma, I've been in more than a few nurseries but Circus Day Nursery is different. They don't do screens, it smells of home cooked proper food and not nappies, the day is so well structured, groups are small, wooden toys, outdoor classroom, time outside no matter the weather and a secret walled garden! Staff are fantastic, many there for decades, friendly, welcoming, helpful and so capable. I would recommend it to everyone. We visited several nurseries around Cheltenham and Circus was the only one we made an immediate decision on after the viewing, no pros and cons lists required! My 21 month old granddaughter is happy and smiling at drop offs and collections and happily says "schooooooool" when we say it's time to go. She eats so well, all included in price, all cooked fresh on site from local small businesses. A wide variety of foods and a meal at the end of the day means there's no mad rush to get back to make dinner which makes evenings far less stressful!

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Danielle May-Evans
a year ago

I can’t recommend Circus Day Nursery highly enough. They are so friendly & great with the children - nothing is too much trouble & my little one always has the best time & practically races up the steps every morning at drop off. There’s so much for them to do & lots of outdoor play opportunities which we loved.

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Neen
3 years ago

Wonderful nursery & staff, attentive & caring. Lots of outside time in the garden & lots of fun activities. My daughter loved her time at Circus & always came out with a big smile on her face. Thankyou Circus for being brilliant

Read on Google

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

Inspection history

Date: February 2013

  • October 2024Good
  • October 2024Good
  • January 2024Requires improvement
  • November 2023Requires improvement
  • January 2023Requires improvement
  • November 2022Requires improvement
  • December 2016Good
  • December 2016Good
  • July 2014Good
  • May 2014Good
  • May 2013Requires improvement
  • February 2013Requires improvement

Frequently asked about Circus Day Nursery

About the setting

Circus Day Nursery registered in 1997 and operates in Pittville, Cheltenham. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The setting employs 48 staff and offers government-funded places.

URN
101756
Registered person
Circus Day Nursery Ltd
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Requires improvement

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more