Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Harwell Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2024)
·
5.0(6 parent reviews) ·Harwell International Business Centre, Curie Avenue, Didcot, OX11 0QQ · Oxfordshire
Number of places
94 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2024
Local authority
Oxfordshire

About this day nursery

Harwell Day Nursery and Preschool provides a nurturing environment for children in Didcot, OX11 0QQ, focusing on holistic development and early education. The nursery offers comprehensive care, including nutritious meals and essential items, with a strong emphasis on fostering a healthy and happy start to each child's journey.

Dedicated staff are committed to making a positive impact daily. The nursery also emphasises outdoor adventures, with spaces and programmes designed to support children's development through nature.

They aim to prepare children for school by building practical and life skills through their Bright Beginnings Curriculum, which covers five key learning areas. Harwell Day Nursery also provides support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and offers settling-in sessions to ensure a smooth transition for new children and their families.

The facility maintains extended opening hours throughout the year, with closure only for bank holidays, one inset day, and the period between Christmas and New Year.

Our ethos

Harwell Day Nursery and Preschool is committed to the holistic development and early education of children through its Bright Beginnings Curriculum, which covers five key learning areas and aims to prepare children for school by building practical and life skills. The nursery emphasises outdoor adventures and learning through nature, alongside providing a nurturing environment and support for children with SEND.

What it's like

Staff make children feel extremely welcome, safe and secure. Children are greeted warmly at the front door and these positive interactions continue throughout the day. Leaders understand how important it is to children's sense of security to be cared for by staff they recognise and know well.

Nutritious Meals IncludedOutdoor Adventures and Forest SchoolBright Beginnings CurriculumSEND Support AvailableExtended Opening Hours

Pricing & funding

Fees are calculated over 52.2 weeks and paid monthly in advance. A discount is offered for full week bookings, and funded places are stretched over 50 weeks and subject to an hourly food charge.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Fees are payable in advance by monthly direct debit.
  • Standard fees are calculated over 52.2 weeks.
  • A 10% discount is applied for full week bookings.
  • Funded fees are stretched over 50 weeks.
  • Funded hours are subject to a daily food charge of £1.20 per hour.

Key facts

Food

Meals and snacks included, consisting of 3 meals and snacks every day. Food is freshly prepared.

Opening hours

7:30 am to 6:00 pm

Age range

9 months to 5 years (school age)

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Harwell Day Nursery

Last inspected 27 June 2024 · Sarah Holley

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff make children feel extremely welcome, safe and secure. Children are greeted warmly at the front door and these positive interactions continue throughout the day. Leaders understand how important it is to children's sense of security to be cared for by staff they recognise and know well.

Inspector highlights

  • Children's language and communication development is given high priority.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive very good support.
  • Leaders plan a comprehensive curriculum, based on children's interests and learning needs.
  • Children are successfully supported to become inquisitive learners.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen some staff's understanding of the curriculum intent, to enable them to more precisely deliver teaching that focuses clearly on what children will most benefit from learning next.
Inspection #10350918 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are full of praise for the nursery, one saying they 'struck gold' when they found this nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive very good support. Staff identify children who may need extra help and work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure they get the support they may need to make the progress of which they are capable. Additional funding is used very effectively to help these children join in, and learn well from, all the nursery has to offer.

Parent Reviews of Harwell Day Nursery

5.0
(6)
Louise Molloy
3 months ago

My son started at this nursery just over a month ago, and the progress we’ve seen in such a short time has been incredible. When he first joined, he had very little speech, and now he’s starting to have little conversations and has become so much more independent. The staff are absolutely amazing with him. You can genuinely see the love, patience and care they have for the children, and especially towards my son. It’s so reassuring as a parent to know he is in such a nurturing environment. There isn’t a single day he doesn’t want to go to nursery — he wakes up excited and talks about his new friends all the time. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better place for him to grow and learn. Thank you all for everything you do! I am so greatful ❤️

Read on Google
James Field
5 years ago

The nursery is superbly run by an excellent management team. It had its problems 3-4 years ago prior to the current team of Alison, Claire et al taking over. They have turned it into an outstanding nursery with a real homely feel. My child loves attending and is always greeted with a warm embrace. Thank you all for your efforts and the development of both of our children that have attended Harwell.

Read on Google
Lee Murray-King
4 years ago

Words can not express how brilliant the staff are here, the facilities for the kids are fantastic, the place is always clean, i'm actually shocked that our child comes back so clean, especially feeding time. I have noticed a vast improvement sending our 2nd child here over the first 1 who had a full time nanny. the staff are so accommodating with any request i have. they are always happy to give tips to help parents if they are struggling. I wish we knew about this place for our first son. highly recommended.

Read on Google
Sarah Pembroke
5 years ago

Our daughter couldn't be happier at Harwell nursery. She not only loves attending, but she is also growing up beautifully there. Everyone is so kind and caring and I know she is in great hands everytime I leave her there.

Read on Google
Victor Farid
3 years ago

It has been a month since my 3 years old daughter joined and only positive experience so far. She is still learning English and the nursery is taking additional care with her.

Read on Google

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

Inspection history

Date: October 2017

  • June 2024Good
  • September 2018Good
  • October 2017Good

Frequently asked about Harwell Day Nursery

Nearby day nurseries in Didcot

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Harwell Day Nursery.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

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