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Great Finborough & Buxhall Under 5's

Ofsted: Good
(May 2025)
·Pettiward Hall, Great Finborough, Stowmarket, IP14 3AE · Suffolk
Number of places
25 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2025
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Catering to children aged 2 to 4 years, the nursery received a 'Good' rating from Ofsted at its latest inspection on 23/05/2025. Children arrive at the setting with genuine excitement, welcomed warmly by staff who greet them by name.

The environment fosters independence and confidence, with children happily engaging in activities like washing hands and pouring their own milk at snack time. Behaviour is consistently good, with staff acting as positive role models.

Great Finborough & Buxhall Under 5's effectively supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they make the best possible progress, though the inspection noted a need for more consistent implementation of some support strategies. The curriculum includes rich learning opportunities such as growing beans and strawberries, teaching children about plant care and food origins.

Mathematical concepts are explored daily through practical activities like measuring and counting. Outdoor learning is a key feature; staff skilfully lead walks to the woods, teaching road safety and encouraging a love for nature through bug hunts with binoculars and magnifying glasses.

The nursery also fosters a strong connection to the local community through visits to the church and a local residential home. Story time is a joyful experience, building a strong foundation for early reading, and music plays a vital role in the children's day, promoting physical development through dance and song.

What it's like

Children arrive at the setting with real glee and excitement. Staff greet them and their families with a smile and welcome children by name, allowing them to share their thoughts for the day. Staff have high expectations for children's independence and confidence, and children's behaviour is good as staff are good role models.

Warm welcomeIndependence focusOutdoor adventuresCommunity linksEarly literacyMathematical exploration

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 8.30am to 3pm.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

1982

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Great Finborough & Buxhall Under 5's

Last inspected 23 May 2025

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 the setting with real glee and excitement. Staff greet them and their families with a smile and welcome children by name, allowing them to share their thoughts for the day. Staff have high expectations for children's independence and confidence, and children's behaviour is good as staff are good role models.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are proud to tell adults how they grow beans and strawberries, learning to respect and care for plants and understand where food comes from.
  • Children learn different concepts of mathematics throughout their day, measuring, counting and experimenting with volume.
  • Staff provide rich learning opportunities for children to grow knowledge and delight of their local community, including visits to the church, local residential home, and woods.
  • Children squeal with delight at story time, building a strong foundation for a love of early reading.
  • Music plays an important role in the children's day, strengthening their core muscles as they dance and sing.

Areas to develop

  • 1help staff to implement behaviour strategies consistently for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities
  • 2develop staff's knowledge of additional ways to support children's communication and language development to enable all children to make the best progress they can.
Inspection #10388593 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

I am filling to the top

I've got bubbles in mine. I've got loads of bubbles in mine.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well to help them make the best possible progress. However, some strategies are not implemented consistently, such as using a sand timer to support children with SEND with their self-regulation, which means some children are not always clear about staff's expectations. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

Outdoor space

Staff skilfully use a walk to the woods as a teaching opportunity for children to learn road safety and develop a fondness for nature. They look and care for insects in the wild as they go on a bug hunt with binoculars, magnifying glasses and notepads.

Inspection history

Date: October 2007

  • June 2025Good
  • May 2025Good
  • August 2019Good
  • July 2019Good
  • December 2015Good
  • December 2015Good
  • June 2015Inadequate
  • June 2015Inadequate
  • June 2011Good
  • May 2011Good
  • October 2007Good

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