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Little Owl Pre-School

Ofsted: Inadequate
(Dec 2025)
·
5.0(3 parent reviews)
·Dry Drayton Primary School, Park Street, Cambridge, CB23 8DA · Cambridgeshire
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2025
Local authority
Cambridgeshire

About this day nursery

Little Owl Pre-School is a friendly childcare setting located in Dry Drayton, Cambridge, offering services for children from 2 to 11 years old. Operated by a volunteer committee and staffed by dedicated professionals, the pre-school prioritises creating a happy, secure, and nurturing environment for children to thrive and reach their full potential.

They aim to cater to individual needs, building on children's skills and interests within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which encompasses learning, development, welfare, and well-being. With a commitment to inclusivity, Little Owl Pre-School actively promotes equality of opportunity for all children and families in the community, striving to reflect diverse cultures and lifestyles.

The pre-school encourages parent and carer involvement, believing it is crucial for delivering high-quality education and care. Little Owl Pre-School is soon to integrate with Dry Drayton C of E (C) Primary School, a transition anticipated to provide enhanced stability, continuity of service, and closer collaboration with Reception staff, thus ensuring a strong foundation for children transitioning to the primary school.

Our ethos

Little Owl Pre-School aims to cater to individual needs, building on children's skills and interests within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. They are committed to inclusivity, promoting equality of opportunity for all children and families, and reflect diverse cultures and lifestyles. Parent and carer involvement is seen as crucial for delivering high-quality education and care.

What it's like

Children are safe, happy and included. Since the last inspection, newly established leaders have strengthened routines, understandably prioritising safeguarding and effective staff deployment. Children are well supervised, and their individual care needs are consistently met. However, staff's understanding of how to implement the newly introduced curriculum still requires further attention, and their teaching does not always sustain children's engagement.

Friendly and Inclusive EnvironmentVolunteer Committee-RunStrong Parental InvolvementEYFS FrameworkTransitioning to Primary School Integration

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured hourly for pre-school and holiday club sessions, alongside flat-rate charges for after-school sessions. Additional daily fees apply for snacks and holiday activities. Discounted hourly rates are offered for siblings attending the holiday club.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Pre-school fees incur an additional daily snack charge.
  • Holiday club bookings are subject to an additional daily snack and activity fee.
  • A sibling discount is available on holiday club hourly rates.
  • Late collection fees are charged for every 20 minutes or part thereof.

Key facts

Opening hours

After-school care from 3:15 PM - 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday

Age range

2-5 years (Pre-School), 3-11 years (Holiday Club)

Session types

Pre-School, After School Club, Holiday Club

Staff

5

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Owl Pre-School

Last inspected 9 December 2025 · Lisa Topham

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Inadequate

Actions the provider must take

  • ensure teaching is consistent and supports children's next steps in development.

What it's like to attend

Children are safe, happy and included. Since the last inspection, newly established leaders have strengthened routines, understandably prioritising safeguarding and effective staff deployment. Children are well supervised, and their individual care needs are consistently met. However, staff's understanding of how to implement the newly introduced curriculum still requires further attention, and their teaching does not always sustain children's engagement.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are safe, happy and included.
  • Leaders have strengthened routines, prioritising safeguarding and effective staff deployment.
  • Children are well supervised, and their individual care needs are consistently met.
  • Children enjoy choosing whether to play indoors or outdoors.
  • Children are encouraged to explore new activities and materials, building confidence and independence.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure teaching is consistent and supports children's next steps in development.
Inspection #259a019 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Targeted support helps children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make progress alongside their peers. Staff adapt activities, routines and resources so all children can access learning and make progress. Leaders work closely with families and external professionals, including speech and language therapists, to support children with SEND.

Outdoor space

Children move freely between indoor and outdoor areas, choosing resources and completing tasks independently. They enjoy choosing whether to play indoors or outdoors.

Parent Reviews of Little Owl Pre-School

5.0
(3)
Cambridgeshire by air
2 years ago

Little owls nursery is a special place indeed! The staff, especially the manager are so lovely. My daughter loved it and my son can't wait to start. Such a great environment for young children. I was surprised to only see one review as I think everyone would wholeheartedly give it a full 5* rating! - no doubt that we're busy parents so only just doing it now. They really can't do enough for you there and all with a smile. Highly recommend.

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Donna Prime
2 years ago

My daughter has been there about a year now, and she absolutely loves going every day all the ladies are so nice there too. My daughter’s confidence has come such a long way since she has started. I think this nursery is a brilliant one and there isn’t anything I would change about it and nothing negative to say either. I would definitely recommend this nursery.

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Charlotte Pitcher
7 years ago

Such a lovely preschool, my son has been going for a few months now and it’s become and home from home. The ladies running the preschool are so caring and create such a nice environment for the children.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Owl Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: May 2022

  • December 2025Inadequate
  • July 2025Good
  • May 2022Good

Frequently asked about Little Owl Pre-School

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