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Hillside House Nursery in Shrewsbury (SY5)

Ofsted: Requires improvement
(Sept 2025)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·The Old School, Hookagate, Shrewsbury, SY5 8BE · Shropshire
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Shropshire

About this day nursery

50am until 6pm, caring for children aged 0-3 years. The nursery was rated as 'Requires Improvement' at its latest inspection on 15th September 2025.

While there have been inconsistencies in the key-person system and staffing arrangements, leading to some babies feeling unsettled and older children not always receiving tailored learning experiences, parents consistently describe staff as kind and caring, and are pleased their children remain happy. The nursery successfully supports its toddler-aged children, who thrive in their environment, developing early literacy and numeracy skills.

Leaders and managers are aware of potential special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and provide appropriate intervention, working with parents to support children's communication. Children are encouraged to develop independence, making play choices and serving their own food and drink.

Although older children enjoy outdoor play, such as imaginative games looking for animals with staff, the learning opportunities are not always fully utilised. The nursery ensures effective safeguarding arrangements, prioritising children's welfare with an open and positive culture.

What it's like

There are inconsistencies in the key-person system, leading to some babies feeling unsettled and older children not receiving tailored learning experiences. The quality of teaching is variable, with toddler-aged children thriving, but older children's learning is often incidental due to staff not fully utilising opportunities to extend their learning.

Toddlers thriveSEND supportPromoting independenceEffective safeguardingKind and caring staff

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 7.50am until 6pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2015

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Hillside House Nursery

Last inspected 15 September 2025 · Lisa Bennett

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

Actions the provider must take

  • ensure that the key-person system is effective to support children to build settled relationships and provide care and learning that is tailored to meet their individual needs.

What it's like to attend

There are inconsistencies in the key-person system, leading to some babies feeling unsettled and older children not receiving tailored learning experiences. The quality of teaching is variable, with toddler-aged children thriving, but older children's learning is often incidental due to staff not fully utilising opportunities to extend their learning.

Inspector highlights

  • Toddler-age children thrive and are supported in developing early literacy and numeracy skills.
  • Leaders and managers are alert to gaps in children's learning and understand how to provide appropriate intervention for special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Children are provided with ample opportunities to develop their independence, making choices about play and serving their own food and drink.
  • Staff comment positively about the support they receive from leaders and managers, accessing online training and supervision meetings.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture that puts children's interests first.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop the planning for activities so that children receive high-quality experiences that build on their learning
  • 2improve the consistency of information shared with parents so that they are fully engaged in their children's care and learning
  • 3monitor staff and evaluate their practice more precisely to strengthen their teaching skills.
Inspection #10420738 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents state that they have recognised frequent changes in staffing and management. They do not always receive information about these changes, or changes to their child's key person.

Nevertheless, parents consistently comment that staff are kind and caring, and that their children remain happy in the setting.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and managers are alert to gaps in children's learning, which may indicate possible special educational needs and/or disabilities. They understand how to provide appropriate intervention to support children. Staff work closely with parents to implement strategies, such as providing picture cards both at the setting and at home, to help children to communicate with adults.

Outdoor space

Older children initiate their own play and use their imaginative skills to pretend to look for animals outdoors with staff. While children often enjoy activities, such as playing outdoors, they are not well-enough supported to make progress in their learning.

Parent Reviews of Hillside House Nursery

5.0
(4)
Maya Wasowicz
3 years ago

Hillside in Hook-a-Gate felt like home from the moment we stepped in the door to look round. It is a beautifully re-furbished old building, warm, fresh and full of natural objects. The head of the pre-school room and all the staff are warm and caring, not only to the children, but to parents too! They were focussed on learning but incorporated it into everyday activities with creativity and fun. Staff introduced abstract concepts like maths that set the foundation for going to school. The managers were always responsive and easy to talk to. My daughter had a bad experience at her previous nursery, but here she was accepted 100% for who she was (zero complaints about her behaviour) and grew in confidence day by day. She is now doing really well at school despite only just turning 4 before the start of term; moving her to Hillside has a huge part to play in her success. Your child could not be in better hands if you choose this nursery!

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Inspection history

Date: August 2016

  • September 2025Requires improvement
  • August 2022Outstanding
  • August 2016Outstanding

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