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.
North Star Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2022)
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 well-established, privately-run, not-for-profit day nursery that has been serving families for over 30 years. Located in purpose-built facilities within the serene grounds of UKRI, it offers a warm and nurturing atmosphere for children aged three months to five years old, and a Holiday Club for children aged five to eleven.
The nursery prides itself on fostering a strong sense of belonging, valuing the diverse family experiences and communities of its children. With a dedicated team, many of whom have been with the nursery for five years or more, North Star Nursery ensures a stable and reliable environment for children's development.
They focus on encouraging creativity and problem-solving through hands-on learning and carefully planned activities in both indoor and outdoor play areas.
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
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
Established
1999
Waitlist
Yes
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for North Star Nursery
Last inspected 19 August 2022 · Louise Phillips
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
Frequently asked about North Star Nursery
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