Opening hours
Monday to Friday, during school term times only. Morning sessions (08:30-11:30am), afternoon sessions (12:30-15:30pm), and ‘School days’ (08:30am-14:30pm).
Hester Way Children Centre Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2022)
Number of places
64 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2022
Local authority
Gloucestershire
About this day nursery
Hesters Way Children Centre Nursery, operated by Aspire Foundation, is a community-focused early years setting located in Cheltenham. It provides a stimulating and supportive environment for children aged 2-4 years.
The nursery boasts two bright, spacious indoor rooms that offer free-flow access to two distinct outdoor play areas. These outdoor spaces include a dedicated area for bikes and ball games, a sensory garden, a small trim trail, and a forest school zone, fostering a rich environment for exploration and learning.
Additionally, the nursery benefits from access to the forest school and playing field at the neighbouring Hesters Way Primary School. A unique feature is its soft play area, accessible to all children throughout the week.
The curriculum is designed to support children's development, building confidence, communication skills, and preparing them for their school journey while encouraging messy play and a love for the outdoors. The nursery aims to create a secure and engaging space where children can thrive, offering both morning and afternoon sessions, as well as full 'School days' during term time.
Our ethos
The nursery provides a stimulating and supportive environment that fosters exploration and learning, with a curriculum designed to build confidence and communication skills. They encourage messy play and a love for the outdoors, aiming to create a secure and engaging space for children to thrive. The presence of a forest school zone and access to additional outdoor facilities highlights a commitment to outdoor learning.
What it's like
Children receive attentive support from nurturing staff, fostering a sense of safety and readiness to learn through a strong key-person system. They benefit from a broad curriculum tailored to their interests, where staff skilfully incorporate areas of learning, such as mathematics, into their play. Children behave very well, forming positive relationships with staff and peers, and make good progress.
Community-focusedForest School accessSoft play areaOutdoor learning
Pricing & funding
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Session types
Morning session, Afternoon session, Full school day
Age range
2-4 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
2014
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Hester Way Children Centre Nursery
Last inspected 27 April 2022
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 receive attentive support from nurturing staff, fostering a sense of safety and readiness to learn through a strong key-person system. They benefit from a broad curriculum tailored to their interests, where staff skilfully incorporate areas of learning, such as mathematics, into their play. Children behave very well, forming positive relationships with staff and peers, and make good progress.
Inspector highlights
- Children receive attentive support from nurturing staff, fostering a sense of safety and readiness to learn.
- Children benefit from a broad curriculum tailored to their interests, where staff skilfully incorporate areas of learning, such as mathematics, into their play.
- Support for children with SEND is a strength of the setting, with staff working closely with parents and outside professionals.
- Staff promote children's communication and language skills very well by introducing activities such as 'Time to Talk' and 'Chatty Mondays'.
- Staff help children to adopt healthy lifestyles, providing healthy snacks, fresh drinking water, and promoting good oral hygiene routines.
Areas to develop
- 1strengthen the monitoring of staff's practice to precisely identify minor weaknesses and raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high level
- 2review the planning and organisation of whole group time activities, considering the needs and abilities of all children within the group, so that all are equally engaged, and their learning is maximised.
Inspection #10124363 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
staff keep them well informed about their child's progress and communication is good
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
All children progress well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those in receipt of additional funding, because staff have high expectations. They provide timely support and allocate funding effectively. Support for children with SEND is a strength of the setting; staff work closely with parents and outside professionals to create targeted plans and use effective strategies like pictures and objects of reference to help children understand routines.
Outdoor space
Children have ample opportunity for fresh air and develop their physical skills on the climbing equipment.
Parent Reviews of Hester Way Children Centre Nursery
4.2
(5)
Sylwia Jurga
10 months ago
All member of staff are very friendly and helpful. I never had a problem. Communicating with staff members is very good and there is high standards of work. I always will recommend this place. I want to also saida Gina is a wonderful person, very kind and lovely with a big heart. All my family will miss you.
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Lisa marie Studd
7 years ago
Shocking the way I was spoken to. Communication and mistakes made on their part but didn't accept that just blamed other things. My son doesn't get given his drink there even though I'm told to pack one. My friend had a bad experience too. They bang on about outstanding ofsted reports but actually this is from 2016 not now. Only nice one there that I spoke to was gina. Avoid at all costs.
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Charlene Coles
2 years ago
My son went here years ago and my daughter is currently here never had a problem. Staff are brilliant
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Leszek Ciesiółka
9 years ago
Very good staff members, always friendly and helpful, who look after our babies. High standards of child care.
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Georgina May
8 years ago
Reviews from Google for Hester Way Children Centre Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: March 2016
- April 2022Good
- March 2016Outstanding
Frequently asked about Hester Way Children Centre Nursery
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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