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Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Academy Gardens

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2021)
·
4.7(12 parent reviews) ·Academy Gardens Childrens Centre, 1 Academy Gardens, Northolt, UB5 5QN · Ealing
Number of places
64 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2021
Local authority
Ealing

About this day nursery

Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries is a family-operated group established two decades ago by Tim and Olivia, based on their personal childcare experiences. The organisation is committed to providing a nurturing and educational environment where children are cared for as if they were the founders' own.

They prioritise recruiting passionate educators who bring enthusiasm and diverse backgrounds to create a rich learning tapestry. The nursery aims to instil a love for learning in children from an early age, utilising engaging environments, outdoor spaces, and a forest school programme to spark curiosity and wonder.

Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries also emphasises a strong focus on team development, offering continuous professional growth opportunities, including paid training days, leadership programmes, and access to an extensive online training portal. Employee well-being is also a key focus, with benefits such as competitive salaries, healthcare packages, flexible working options, and discounted childcare fees, reflecting a commitment to both staff and the families they serve.

Our ethos

Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries is committed to providing a nurturing and educational environment, aiming to instil a love for learning by utilising engaging environments, outdoor spaces, and a forest school programme. They prioritise passionate educators and believe in creating a rich learning tapestry for the children.

What it's like

Children are warmly greeted and settle quickly into the nursery routines provided by friendly and professional staff. Children select from a wide range of age-appropriate resources and are confident in choosing the direction of their play. All children make good progress from their starting points.

Family-runPassionate educatorsFocus on outdoor learningStrong staff developmentEmployee well-being benefits

Pricing & funding

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)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks per year

Age range

3 Months to 5 Years

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Academy Gardens

Last inspected 10 August 2021

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 warmly greeted and settle quickly into the nursery routines provided by friendly and professional staff. Children select from a wide range of age-appropriate resources and are confident in choosing the direction of their play. All children make good progress from their starting points.

Inspector highlights

  • The leadership team and staff have adapted well to the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, ensuring all children are supported and make good progress.
  • Children are supported well to develop a love of books, with cosy reading areas and expressive story-telling by staff.
  • Staff help children to gain a wide range of physical skills and support their independence in meeting toileting needs.
  • Children's mathematical and literacy skills are supported, with opportunities for counting, mark-making, and learning letter formation.
  • The manager and staff carry out termly assessments to identify any gaps in learning, effectively supporting communication and language development, including for children who speak English as an additional language.

Areas to develop

  • 1provide staff with more robust supervision and training that supports them to develop their individual practice and support children's learning to the highest levels.
Inspection #10143533 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and always have a smile on their faces.

their children love being at the nursery and could not be happier.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those in receipt of funding and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are fully included during activities.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy regular access to the nursery's outside area, exploring a range of interesting activities and practising their physical skills. Children access a vast array of mark-making resources in the outdoor classroom.

Parent Reviews of Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Academy Gardens

4.7
(12)
May Aboul hassan
7 months ago

My daughter loves this nursery! The staff are amazing the other children are very well behaved. Very clean environment and fun for the children. What really helps as well is that the food is halal and that’s amazing for us. Thank you for everything you do! :)

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Camelia Guthrie
a year ago

I sent my first daughter Kaleia to this nursery and she absolutely loved it. When she left for school reception her teacher was so impressed at how much she was set up for school and praised the nursery she went to. My second child now attends the same nursery as her sister did, and I can see the same joy in her eyes. She absolutely loves her teacher's and her friend's. Thank you Hungry Caterpillar (Academy Gardens) for everything you've done for my girls and continue to do for Kaia-Joi x

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Sadaf Bazgar
2 years ago

My daughter has started in September and in just two months there has been so many positive changes in my daughter. The staff are absolutely amazing they are always ready to listen to you and always there to help if you need help with your child. I am very happy and and certain that I have made the right decision putting my daughter in this nursery.

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Nosaebq Al
a year ago

I am very grateful to the wonderful team for their kind treatment of my children. I really trust that you are a hardworking and cooperative team with high morals in dealing with children. My children feel happy and comfortable when they return from nursery. This is enough for me. I really thank you from the heart. I wish success to everyone. I cannot vote for one person. In fact, you are all wonderful, but as for my child, mohammad, he talks a lot about Aisha Mohamud 💖and loves her very much. Almost all my family got to know Aisha through mohammad’s constant talk about her. This makes me happy. I also want to thank Miss Siobhan Donohoe for her constant help and kindness.💖 I will not forget 💖Patricia Mascarenhas and Charley Fisher.💖 You are wonderful. You have cooperated with me most of the time because I do not speak English. I really want to write all your names and thank you one by one. Sorry, my message was a bit long. I love you all.💖

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Elodie Salloum
2 years ago

My son has accomplished almost a year with academy gardens and the way he progressed and achieved milestones was amazing. The team are caring and devoted to the children's well being. Best decision ever made I highly recommend academy gardens

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Academy Gardens. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

10 August 2021

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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