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Great Barton Pathways

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2023)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews)
·School Road, Great Barton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 2RJ · Suffolk
Number of places
26 places
Age range
3–5 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2023
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Great Barton Pathways is a childcare setting located in Bury St Edmunds, catering to children aged between 3 and 11 years during term time and 3 to 9 years during holiday club. The nursery prides itself on its "Pathways" approach, valuing each child's individual learning journey and providing a nurturing environment that celebrates their unique qualities.

The curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance and the Statutory Framework, ensuring a stimulating and fun learning experience that helps children reach their full potential through play. The setting boasts a well-qualified, highly experienced team dedicated to providing exceptional care and maintaining a high staff-to-child ratio, with a maximum of 26 children per session.

Parents and carers are actively encouraged to participate in the nursery's operations through a parent-led committee responsible for governance and fundraising. The facility features an impressive outdoor area with climbing structures, a roadway for bikes, a garden, and a mud kitchen, alongside a large grassed area for various activities and raised beds for gardening.

Indoors, children have access to a diverse range of age-appropriate activities, including a role-play area, a book corner, a climbing frame, and a caterpillar tunnel. Pathways actively fosters strong relationships with parents, supporting both children and families throughout their time at the setting, and consistently achieves "Good" ratings from Ofsted.

Our ethos

Great Barton Pathways centres its "Pathways" approach on valuing each child's individual learning journey and celebrating their unique qualities. The curriculum is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage, focusing on play-based learning to help children reach their full potential. The nursery emphasises strong relationships with parents and children, aiming to provide exceptional care and support.

What it's like

Children are happy and busy throughout their time at this welcoming setting, developing warm bonds with staff and feeling safe and secure. They are eager to explore activities, show imagination, and develop a love of books. Staff have high expectations and provide support tailored to each child, fostering a strong understanding of rules and expectations.

Play-based learningParent-led committeeExtensive outdoor spaceExperienced and qualified staff

Pricing & funding

Fees are invoiced half-termly and must be paid in advance. The setting offers wrap-around care including breakfast, lunch, and after-school clubs, alongside holiday club options and additional preschool sessions.

Good to know

  • Fees are invoiced before the start of each half term.
  • Payments must be made on or before the start of each period.

Key facts

Age range

3-11 years (term time); 3-9 years (holiday club)

Session types

Morning session, Afternoon session, All day

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Great Barton Pathways

Last inspected 20 April 2023

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 are happy and busy throughout their time at this welcoming setting, developing warm bonds with staff and feeling safe and secure. They are eager to explore activities, show imagination, and develop a love of books. Staff have high expectations and provide support tailored to each child, fostering a strong understanding of rules and expectations.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager is passionate about providing a high-quality service and encourages staff specialisms and training.
  • Staff know children well and use this knowledge to plan targeted activities with a focus on prime areas of learning.
  • Parents praise the warm, friendly staff team and note how much their children enjoy attending and developing new skills.
  • Staff make good use of everyday opportunities to promote children's mathematical skills.
  • Children are curious and demonstrate good levels of concentration, fascinated by minibeasts and listening intently to staff.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the organisation of group times to maximise children's engagement and learning opportunities.
Inspection #10263438 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents praise the warm, friendly staff team.

They note how much their children enjoy attending and the range of skills and knowledge they have developed at the setting.

Parents comment how much their children enjoy the outdoor play opportunities and appreciate how older children can still access the setting's wraparound care when they start school.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children demonstrate their imaginative skills as they mix up 'magic potions' in the garden with glitter and pebbles in the water tray, telling staff that it is an invisibility potion. Parents comment how much their children enjoy the outdoor play opportunities.

Parent Reviews of Great Barton Pathways

5.0
(2)
Bodymotion Physiotherapy
5 months ago

Written by Rachael Band under my Business profile- You will not find more caring and energetic staff than at Pathways! They go above and beyond at every opportunity to nurture and create happy memories and learning opportunities for each and every child. All the staff are fantastic- happy, friendly and professional at all times. We have used Pathways for all our children for breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday clubs and the Children love attending all of their sessions! Thank you so much for all of your care and attention. Rachael Band

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lucy powell
2 years ago

amazing childcare provision, caring staff, flexible and not expensive. children aged 6 and 4 use both wrap around and also holiday club and love it.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Great Barton Pathways. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: March 2009

  • April 2023Good
  • May 2017Good
  • February 2015Good
  • March 2009Good

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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