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Koala Kidz - Old Buttery

Ofsted: Expected standard·
5.0(1 parent reviews) ·Old Buttery Nursery, 16 High Street, Cambridge, CB24 5ES · Cambridgeshire
Number of places
50 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2026
Local authority
Cambridgeshire

About this day nursery

Koala Kidz Ltd - Old Buttery, established in 2003, is an Outstanding-rated childcare setting in Willingham, Cambridge, catering to children aged 1-4 years. Operating Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, it embraces an all-year term time, offering both 15 and 30 funded hours.

This unique nursery has transitioned into an outdoor and forest school, allowing children to engage with nature, learn risk management, and thrive alongside local flora and fauna. The curriculum, shaped by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), fosters exceptional confidence, independence, and communication skills, as evidenced by toddlers fluently conversing and older children demonstrating advanced problem-solving abilities.

The dedicated staff, equipped with regular SEND training, ensure an inclusive environment where every child, including those with additional needs, receives tailored support to fully participate and flourish in their learning journey.

Our ethos

Koala Kidz, established in 1987, bases its educational philosophy on a balance of enjoyment, learning, and support, aiming to foster children's development in collaboration with parents. They emphasise fresh air, nutritious food, and self-discipline. The nursery aims to cultivate a love for learning by developing abilities in a warm, child-centred environment, guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) principles.

What it's like

Children at Koala Kidz Ltd - Old Buttery develop exceptional levels of confidence and independence, managing tasks and making decisions about play. Their behaviour is excellent, and they use their imagination with creative items. Children of all ages learn to manage risks appropriately and become in tune with the outdoor environment.

Confident, independent childrenOutdoor learning specialistsStrong language developmentInclusive environmentEngaged in learning

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 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

7:30am until 5:30pm every working day of the year.

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2003

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Mar 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Koala Kidz - Old Buttery

Last inspected 12 March 2026

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children at Koala Kidz Ltd - Old Buttery develop exceptional levels of confidence and independence, managing tasks and making decisions about play. Their behaviour is excellent, and they use their imagination with creative items. Children of all ages learn to manage risks appropriately and become in tune with the outdoor environment.

Inspector highlights

  • Children develop exceptional levels of confidence and independence as they manage tasks and make decisions about play.
  • Children of all ages learn to manage risks appropriately and become in tune with the outdoor environment, learning to play safely.
  • Staff observe children's abilities and interests, enabling them to build on what children know and can do through a wide range of engaging activities.
  • Toddlers chat fluently, holding conversations and showing skills above those expected for their age.
  • Children are deeply involved in their learning, demonstrating immense kindness to each other and to the minibeasts they find.
  • The management team and staff are keen on continuing to develop practice, engaging with local authority advisors to raise the standard of teaching to an exceptional level.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should ensure hygiene routines are consistently embedded so children develop a better understanding of self-care and make connections to their own health and wellbeing.
  • 2Leader should improve the organisation and maintenance of outdoor resources so children can safely access a well-maintained, stimulating environment that fully supports their play and learning.
Inspection #10114290 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff create an inclusive environment where all children, including those who face barriers to learning, receive effective and responsive support. They build positive relationships with children and their families and carefully observe and assess children's development to identify emerging needs at an early stage. Leaders provide regular training and guidance on special educational needs and/or disabilities, including how to assess needs, plan targeted support and review impact. Staff implement purposeful strategies to ensure all children, including those who require additional support, can participate fully and thrive. When needed, leaders work closely with families to make adjustments to children's hours to help improve attendance and establish consistent routines. Leaders and staff adapt routines, resources and teaching approaches so children can fully access the curriculum. For example, they use visual prompts to support children's understanding of daily routines and provide focused small-group teaching to strengthen key skills.

Outdoor space

The nursery has transitioned into an outdoor nursery and forest school, where children of all ages learn to manage risks appropriately, becoming in tune with the outdoor environment and playing safely alongside various flora and fauna. Children benefit from space to run, jump and balance in the vast outdoor space. They enjoy scooping sand and filling containers which develops their fine motor skills and supports their understanding of mathematical concepts. Children are encouraged to put on their own coats and collect appropriate footwear before exploring the outdoor area.

Parent Reviews of Koala Kidz - Old Buttery

5.0
(1)

Reviews from Google for Koala Kidz - Old Buttery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: November 2013

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Outstanding). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • July 2021Outstanding
  • June 2021Outstanding
  • June 2019Good
  • December 2014Good
  • November 2014Good
  • January 2014Requires improvement
  • November 2013Good

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