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North Star Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2022)
·Polaris House, North Star Avenue, SWINDON, SN2 1FL · Swindon
Number of places
40 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2022
Local authority
Swindon

About this day nursery

North Star Nursery is a day nursery in Swindon for children aged from birth to four years. It is open on weekdays throughout the year, closing for one week at Christmas. Nursery sessions run from 8am to 5.45pm, and the setting also operates a holiday club with sessions from 8.30am to 5.30pm. The day nursery accepts government funding for three and four-year-olds as well as Tax-Free Childcare. At its inspection in August 2022, Ofsted judged the nursery to be 'Good' overall.

The inspector found that children thrive and form strong bonds with staff, feeling safe and secure to explore. The curriculum covers all seven areas of learning through a blend of child-led and adult-initiated activities. Children benefit from a large garden, which provides space to be physically active with equipment such as play slides, tunnels and stilts. According to Ofsted, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well, with staff receiving specialist training and working with families to put support plans in place.

Our ethos

North Star Nursery focuses on creativity and problem-solving through hands-on, play-based learning, both indoors and outdoors. They are committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging by valuing the diverse experiences and communities of their children.

What it's like

Children thrive in this warm and welcoming nursery, building strong relationships with their key persons. Staff offer children lots of praise and reassurance, helping them to feel safe and secure to explore the environment. Older children help choose the pre-school rules and boundaries, which supports them to feel empowered to uphold these rules.

Established for over 30 yearsNot-for-profitHoliday Club availableGood Ofsted rating

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on half-day or full-day regular sessions, with separate fees for meals and snacks. Holiday club bookings are offered for full or short days. Sibling discounts are available for both regular and holiday club sessions.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • Half-day session£46 / day
  • All day session£67 / day
  • Morning Snack (funded session)£0.40 / session
  • 2 Course lunch (funded session)£2 / session
  • Afternoon Tea (funded session)£1.50 / session

Good to know

  • Sibling discounts are available for both regular sessions and holiday club bookings.
  • Cancellations must be made at least ten working days before the holiday club opens to avoid full charges.
  • Refunds for holiday club cancellations are not guaranteed unless the space is resold.
  • Fees may be subject to change based on business needs.

Key facts

Food

Meals included, fresh healthy food made on site, caters for dietary needs. Morning snack, 2 course lunch, afternoon tea available for purchase during funded sessions.

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm (nursery), 8:30am - 5:30pm (holiday club during school holidays)

Age range

3 months to 5 years (nursery), 5 to 11 years (holiday club)

Session types

Half-day, Full day, Holiday Club short day, Holiday Club full day

Term time / All Year

All Year

Staff

22 qualified staff

Registered with Ofsted

1999

Waitlist

Yes

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for North Star Nursery

Last inspected 19 August 2022 · Louise Phillips

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 thrive in this warm and welcoming nursery, building strong relationships with their key persons. Staff offer children lots of praise and reassurance, helping them to feel safe and secure to explore the environment. Older children help choose the pre-school rules and boundaries, which supports them to feel empowered to uphold these rules.

Inspector highlights

  • Children thrive and build strong relationships with key persons.
  • Children benefit from a large outside garden for physical activity.
  • The curriculum blends child-led and adult-initiated activities covering all seven areas of learning.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well.
  • Staff are praised by the management team and feel fully supported in their roles.

Areas to develop

  • 1consider reviewing the organisation of mealtimes to ensure children are not waiting for too long
  • 2further extend opportunities for children to express and represent their own ideas and creativity in planned activities.
Inspection #10234066 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are very happy with the care the nursery provides.

They report that their children love attending the setting and make good progress.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff work consistently with families and other agencies to ensure support is put in place, and all staff are aware of the support plans. The manager ensures relevant funding is claimed and staff receive specialist training to fully support the individual needs of the children in their care.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from the large outside garden, which gives them space to be physically active. Younger children climb play slides and crawl through tunnels, while older children run between trees, race on 'stomper stilts', and create obstacle courses.

Inspection history

Date: May 2004

  • September 2022Good
  • August 2022Good
  • October 2016Good
  • September 2016Good
  • October 2013Good
  • August 2013Good
  • December 2008Good
  • November 2006Good
  • May 2004Requires improvement

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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