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Gravenhurst & Villages Pre-School & Extended Services

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Mar 2022)
·Orchard Close, Gravenhurst, BEDFORD, MK45 4JF · Central Bedfordshire
Number of places
27 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2022
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire

About this day nursery

Gravenhurst & Villages Preschool, situated within the woodland grounds of Gravenhurst Academy, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 2 years 6 months to 12 years. As a charity-run organisation led by an enthusiastic committee of parents, the preschool prioritises a 'home-from-home' atmosphere where children can develop resilience, independence, confidence, and self-worth.

30 pm and operate a holiday club, ensuring consistency with long-standing core staff. The dedicated team fosters an environment that respects each child's individuality, encourages learning through play, and provides opportunities for children to experience 'awe and wonder' about the world around them.

The preschool also works closely with families, valuing their involvement as a key aspect of the Pippins community. Their commitment to quality early years education was recognised with an 'Outstanding' rating in their latest OFSTED inspection.

While currently full for the 2024-25 academic year, they welcome inquiries for September 2025 onwards.

Our ethos

Our vision is to create a home from home for children to develop resilience, independence, confidence and self-worth, in an environment that is not only calm and nurturing, but is also challenging and inspiring, respecting and cherishing each child's individuality. Providing opportunities for the children to experience awe and wonder about the world around them. Working closely together with families is at the heart of our Pippins community and everything we do.

What it's like

Children thrive at this exceptional pre-school. Their learning needs and well-being are at the centre of everything the staff do. Children are confident, talkative, and clearly enjoy being in this nurturing, home-from-home environment.

Charity-runOFSTED OutstandingPlay-based learningWrap-around care

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at an hourly rate based on age, with separate rates for two-year-olds and children aged three and over. Funded sessions are subject to an hourly consumables fee. Additional fees apply for late pick-ups, overdue payments, and certain sickness policy violations.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • A 10% sibling discount is available.
  • Consumables fee (CASF) applies to all Government Funded Sessions from 1st February 2025.
  • CASF covers resources, learning journals, cooking, gardening, dance sessions, daily snacks, and SEND support.
  • Late pick-up fees apply for late arrivals.
  • Late payment fee is charged weekly for overdue invoices.
  • Sick child fee is charged if medication is used to mask an illness requiring staff cover.

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday during term time

Session types

Breakfast club, Pre-school (9-3pm, 9-1pm, 12-3pm, 9-12pm), After school club, Holiday club

Age range

2 years 6 months to 12 years

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Gravenhurst & Villages Pre-School & Extended Services

Last inspected 3 March 2022 · Jill Hardaker

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

What it's like to attend

Children thrive at this exceptional pre-school. Their learning needs and well-being are at the centre of everything the staff do. Children are confident, talkative, and clearly enjoy being in this nurturing, home-from-home environment.

Inspector highlights

  • The inspirational manager and dedicated staff team have a clear vision for what they want children to achieve.
  • Learning opportunities are expertly interwoven throughout the daily routine and activities.
  • Children with SEND are superbly supported to learn and develop.
  • Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong.
  • Staff maximise every opportunity to speak with children, using a rich range of vocabulary and language structures.
Inspection #10137513 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

they say that they are very well informed about their children's progress and next steps in learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make very rapid progress. Children with SEND are superbly supported to learn and develop. The manager and staff think carefully about how they can precisely meet each child's needs, even before they start to attend. They installed an outside cabin in anticipation of children needing a secure, sensory space tailored to their educational needs. Each child with SEND has a highly motivated key person, who expertly implements their individual education plan.

Outdoor space

The highest priority is given to children's health and well-being. All children choose to spend considerable amounts of the day outdoors. The inspiring natural areas entice children to look for wildlife, such as birds. Children appreciate the beauty of the natural world and become excited as they see, for example, one daffodil in full bloom. Children need few man-made resources; they choose to use sticks for digging holes.

Inspection history

Date: January 2010

  • March 2022Outstanding
  • May 2016Outstanding
  • February 2016Inadequate
  • January 2010Outstanding

Frequently asked about Gravenhurst & Villages Pre-School & Extended Services

About the setting

Gravenhurst and Villages Pre-School registered in 2009. The pre-school employs 14 members of staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications, three at level 6, two at level 4 and seven at level 3. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

URN
EY396049
Registered person
Gravenhurst and Villages Preschool Committee
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
Outstanding

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