---
title: "Once Upon A Time Daycare — Rated 4.5 from 45 Parent Reviews"
description: "Once Upon A Time Daycare, a nursery in Sheffield — Rated Good by Ofsted, rated 4.5 by 45 parents. See opening hours, fees and contact details on Nursery Advice."
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              "reviewBody": "Our family has been part of Once Upon A Time Daycare since the start of 2022, when our eldest daughter (Ayla) started at just six months old. The care both of our girls have received there has meant a great deal to us.\n\nAs parents navigating additional needs, the early years can feel incredibly uncertain. One thing this nursery has always offered us is openness, kindness and a genuine willingness to listen. They have taken the time to understand Ayla as an individual and have worked closely with us as parents to support her needs.\n\nI will never forget a moment where I felt completely lost about Ayla’s future. Without hesitation, one of the managers reassured me and suggested Ayla potentially returning to the other branch and repeat her preschool year while we worked to secure the right support and progress her EHCP. That level of kindness and flexibility meant more to me than I can put into words.\n\nThey have also supported collaborative working around Ayla’s needs, including allowing her TA to work alongside her therapists within the setting where possible. The consistency between home, nursery and therapy has been integral for her wellbeing and development.\n\nWe’ve experienced both branches of the nursery, and the relationships we built with staff (particularly at the Dronfield site) have continued long after transitions between rooms and settings, which really speaks volumes about the people who work there.\n\nOur youngest daughter also started at six months old and initially found separation extremely difficult. She wouldn’t take a bottle and struggled to be put down. With patience, reassurance and consistency from the amazing staff in the baby room, she gradually settled and is now thriving and happily runs in each day.\n\nFor families of children with SEND, finding a setting that is willing to listen, adapt and show genuine patience can make an enormous difference. The staff here have always treated Ayla with kindness and understanding, and that has meant more to our family than words can express.\n\nYes, this nursery is a significant financial investment, but for the consistency of care, the relationships built with staff and the support shown to our family, it has absolutely been worth it.\n\nAyla has been surrounded at OUAT by people who have believed in her, supported her, and allowed her to be exactly who she is; kind, confident, clever and thriving little queen 😊\n\nWe will always be grateful for the role this nursery has played in our daughters’ early years, and would recommend to anyone.",
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              "reviewBody": "Both my children have had a wonderful time at Once Upon a Time nursery. Sally was wonderful when they first started in the little ones room and Aimee and Gina really stood out as key workers to both my children, and my daughter, who is in reception now, always talks about Alice and wants to go and see her! We love so many aspects of the setting- its soft play, the quality of food, the provision and especially in my daughter’s final year, we found the setting to be really good at getting the children to be school-ready. My son in particular loves the Kix football coaching that they bring in and I appreciate the app, which is filled with photos from my children’s time there. My daughter has so many happy memories from Once Upon A Time, from hatching chicks, lots of Art and crafts and her “Graduation.” The transition support to school was very good and the setting helped to ensure she made a great start at her new school.",
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              "reviewBody": "⭐ 0 Stars – Deeply Disappointed and Shocked by Their Practices\nI am extremely disappointed with the way this nursery has handled our situation, and I feel it is important for other parents to be aware of our experience.\nWhen we first visited, we were clearly told that the notice period was 1 month. Several months later, when we enquired about availability, we were told that only limited spaces were available and that we needed to pay the deposit before they would even send the contract. Trusting their earlier explanation and wanting to secure our daughter’s place, we paid the £150 (£75 admin fee + £75 deposit).\nOnly after paying the deposit did we receive the contract and forms. We relied on the earlier verbal information, completed the forms, and sent them back.\nUnfortunately, our circumstances changed, so we contacted the nursery — both by phone and email — one month before the start date to cancel. They acknowledged our cancellation, and even wished us well.\nHowever, when I asked for the deposit back, everything changed. They suddenly claimed that the notice period was 3 months, and that because their contract states the “contract starts once the deposit is paid,” we now owed them two additional months of fees, even though our child never attended, they never provided a single hour of care, and they did not spend a penny on our behalf. As they maintain the waiting list, they certainly did not have to leave the place vacant.\nThis felt incredibly unfair and misleading.\nThey bound us to a contract based on a telephone conversation, without sharing the contract terms until after the deposit was taken. No parent should be locked into a lengthy contract before even seeing it.\nAs a community member and a supporter of local businesses, this behaviour was a real blow. It felt like a deliberate attempt to trap parents and take advantage of them financially.\nI challenged their claim several times, shared legal points, and even spoke with staff who privately agreed the matter should be closed. But the management ignored everything and instead escalated it to solicitors.\nThe first solicitor contacted me on June. I responded in full detail, and they stopped pursuing the matter — presumably because they realised there was no legal basis for the claim.\nNow, from September, a different firm (name sounds like a formal court letter) has started sending threatening letters, adding extra charges on top of the original fabricated amount. It is extremely stressful, and completely unnecessary. I have responded to them too and am currently waiting for the court claim they keep threatening, which I am fully prepared to defend.\nIt is deeply disappointing to see a childcare provider — an organisation that should be built on trust, transparency, and care — operate in this manner.\nPlease read every document carefully and insist on receiving contracts before paying any deposit. My experience has shown that parents can be left vulnerable to unfair financial practices.",
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              "reviewBody": "We have been using this nursery for 6 weeks, and I think it is exceptional. I was astonished at how quickly our little one settled in, and the strong bond she has already developed with her key worker - and in fact all the other staff! I have never seen any staff or child looking stressed or upset, it is a consistently calm and positive environment and everyone seems to enjoy being there. The facilities are modern and amazingly clean, and we have been impressed by the quality and range of food offered. And the on-site soft play is just phenomenal - it's amazing that the children have access to this every day! Thank you to all the team.",
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              "reviewBody": "We visited many nurseries when deciding where to send our daughter, but no where compared to once upon a time. It is a modern, clean, well organised facility and the staff are motivated, caring and approachable. The range of activities offered daily is great, as is the use of the indoor and outdoor space. The Soft play area really sets it apart from others.The food is varied and healthy and has encouraged our daughter to try lots of new things.\nShe loves attending nursery and speaks about it often when at home. Each room she has been in has been excellent and very age appropriate. She particularly loves her current room leader Aimee. We look forward to also sending our son here soon.\nNicola Atkinson",
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4.  Once Upon A Time Daycare

# Once Upon A Time Daycare

Compare Contact Nursery 

Ofsted: Good

(Sept 2021) 

· 4.5 (45 parent reviews)  · 863 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TJ · Sheffield 

Number of places

129 places

Age range

0–4 yrs

Last inspected

Sept 2021

Local authority

Sheffield

About 

-   About 
-   Pricing 
-   Ofsted 
-   Inclusion 
-   Reviews 
-   FAQ 

-   [About](#about)
-   [Pricing](#pricing)
-   [Ofsted](#ofsted)
-   [Inclusion](#inclusion)
-   [Reviews](#reviews)
-   [FAQ](#faq)

Email Nursery

## About this day nursery

Once Upon A Time Daycare, registered in 2018, is a well-established childcare setting located in Sheffield, S11 8TJ, offering full day care for children aged 0 to 4. The nursery operates all year round, Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm, accommodating up to 129 children with a current roll of 227.

The dedicated team of 30 childcare staff, 26 of whom hold qualifications at level 3 and above, including two with qualified teacher status, ensures a nurturing and stimulating environment. The setting received a "Good" rating from Ofsted in its latest inspection on 17th September 2021, a testament to its commitment to high-quality education, strong leadership, and excellent personal development for children.

The nursery provides funded early education for two, three, and four-year-old children, supporting a diverse range of families. Children are encouraged to be happy and engaged, forming strong bonds with staff, and parents consistently commend the nursery for its communication and the positive impact on their children's learning and happiness.

What it's like

Children are happy and engaged in this welcoming nursery. Babies and children make a smooth start to their learning experiences. They form strong bonds with the staff who care for them. Staff work closely with parents and carers to thoroughly understand children's interests, needs and routines. This contributes to the good progress children make in all areas of their development. Staff have high expectations and strongly support children to achieve their potential.

Welcoming nursery Strong leadership Stimulating environment Strong parent partnership Good communication skills 

## Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) 

## Key facts

Opening hours

The nursery opens all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

Term time / All Year

All\_year

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection

## Ofsted rating for Once Upon A Time Daycare

Last inspected 17 September 2021

Overall effectiveness 

Good 

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and engaged in this welcoming nursery. Babies and children make a smooth start to their learning experiences. They form strong bonds with the staff who care for them. Staff work closely with parents and carers to thoroughly understand children's interests, needs and routines. This contributes to the good progress children make in all areas of their development. Staff have high expectations and strongly support children to achieve their potential.

Inspector highlights

-   Children are happy and engaged in this welcoming nursery. 
-   Babies and children make a smooth start to their learning experiences. 
-   Staff work closely with parents and carers to thoroughly understand children’s interests, needs and routines. 
-   Staff have high expectations and strongly support children to achieve their potential. 
-   Children enjoy learning. They are inquisitive and keen to achieve. 
-   The managers provide strong leadership for staff. They are ambitious to achieve high standards for the nursery. 
-   Parents fully recommend the nursery. They appreciate the close contact and regular communication that they receive. 
-   The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 
-   Staff support children’s well-being. They teach children about the importance of following healthy lifestyles. 

Areas to develop

-   1 Support staff to ensure they are clear about what they want children to learn and do not over complicate activities. 

Inspection #10190530 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50170594)

### Official Ofsted Report

Independent inspection of Once Upon A Time Daycare

Inspection date

Sept 2021

Inspection no.

10190530

[Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50170594)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY558952)

Visit or enquire

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Get in touch

### Contact

Phone not yet listed 

863 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TJ 

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Inclusion & environment

## How they support every child

SEND provision

Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), feel safe and well cared for. Staff work closely with other professionals to provide well-targeted support to help children with SEND to develop their communication skills.

EAL / language support

Staff work closely with other professionals to provide well-targeted support to help children with SEND to develop their communication skills.

## Parent Reviews of Once Upon A Time Daycare

4.5 

(45) 

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocJEjhH0gl2CTQ-spThDMsPM5y_FsGX3v_xSdxvuWoM1GDecJA=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo)

Rebecca Cordery

2 months ago

Our family has been part of Once Upon A Time Daycare since the start of 2022, when our eldest daughter (Ayla) started at just six months old. The care both of our girls have received there has meant a great deal to us. As parents navigating additional needs, the early years can feel incredibly uncertain. One thing this nursery has always offered us is openness, kindness and a genuine willingness to listen. They have taken the time to understand Ayla as an individual and have worked closely with us as parents to support her needs. I will never forget a moment where I felt completely lost about Ayla’s future. Without hesitation, one of the managers reassured me and suggested Ayla potentially returning to the other branch and repeat her preschool year while we worked to secure the right support and progress her EHCP. That level of kindness and flexibility meant more to me than I can put into words. They have also supported collaborative working around Ayla’s needs, including allowing her TA to work alongside her therapists within the setting where possible. The consistency between home, nursery and therapy has been integral for her wellbeing and development. We’ve experienced both branches of the nursery, and the relationships we built with staff (particularly at the Dronfield site) have continued long after transitions between rooms and settings, which really speaks volumes about the people who work there. Our youngest daughter also started at six months old and initially found separation extremely difficult. She wouldn’t take a bottle and struggled to be put down. With patience, reassurance and consistency from the amazing staff in the baby room, she gradually settled and is now thriving and happily runs in each day. For families of children with SEND, finding a setting that is willing to listen, adapt and show genuine patience can make an enormous difference. The staff here have always treated Ayla with kindness and understanding, and that has meant more to our family than words can express. Yes, this nursery is a significant financial investment, but for the consistency of care, the relationships built with staff and the support shown to our family, it has absolutely been worth it. Ayla has been surrounded at OUAT by people who have believed in her, supported her, and allowed her to be exactly who she is; kind, confident, clever and thriving little queen 😊 We will always be grateful for the role this nursery has played in our daughters’ early years, and would recommend to anyone.

[Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25NeVJrbFVSbE13WjFOSFJ6RlhSamREYUhnMFRHYxAB!2m1!1s0x48798216a7cbc571:0x4d00a5aea4cf902c)

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKEyDIpKl3lvN8bXEEHGJBne4BXFkkSfJYzSJnhIET9cCaSCQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo)

Zoe Sampson

a year ago

Both my children have had a wonderful time at Once Upon a Time nursery. Sally was wonderful when they first started in the little ones room and Aimee and Gina really stood out as key workers to both my children, and my daughter, who is in reception now, always talks about Alice and wants to go and see her! We love so many aspects of the setting- its soft play, the quality of food, the provision and especially in my daughter’s final year, we found the setting to be really good at getting the children to be school-ready. My son in particular loves the Kix football coaching that they bring in and I appreciate the app, which is filled with photos from my children’s time there. My daughter has so many happy memories from Once Upon A Time, from hatching chicks, lots of Art and crafts and her “Graduation.” The transition support to school was very good and the setting helped to ensure she made a great start at her new school.

[Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN6dzlEODJBRRAB!2m1!1s0x48798216a7cbc571:0x4d00a5aea4cf902c)

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjUSrza2U3HdJVQkqtRgzdrabsgiFn5MTxvvOXYSmPw8JNAEhgvy=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo)

Rishi ram Parajuli

6 months ago

⭐ 0 Stars – Deeply Disappointed and Shocked by Their Practices I am extremely disappointed with the way this nursery has handled our situation, and I feel it is important for other parents to be aware of our experience. When we first visited, we were clearly told that the notice period was 1 month. Several months later, when we enquired about availability, we were told that only limited spaces were available and that we needed to pay the deposit before they would even send the contract. Trusting their earlier explanation and wanting to secure our daughter’s place, we paid the £150 (£75 admin fee + £75 deposit). Only after paying the deposit did we receive the contract and forms. We relied on the earlier verbal information, completed the forms, and sent them back. Unfortunately, our circumstances changed, so we contacted the nursery — both by phone and email — one month before the start date to cancel. They acknowledged our cancellation, and even wished us well. However, when I asked for the deposit back, everything changed. They suddenly claimed that the notice period was 3 months, and that because their contract states the “contract starts once the deposit is paid,” we now owed them two additional months of fees, even though our child never attended, they never provided a single hour of care, and they did not spend a penny on our behalf. As they maintain the waiting list, they certainly did not have to leave the place vacant. This felt incredibly unfair and misleading. They bound us to a contract based on a telephone conversation, without sharing the contract terms until after the deposit was taken. No parent should be locked into a lengthy contract before even seeing it. As a community member and a supporter of local businesses, this behaviour was a real blow. It felt like a deliberate attempt to trap parents and take advantage of them financially. I challenged their claim several times, shared legal points, and even spoke with staff who privately agreed the matter should be closed. But the management ignored everything and instead escalated it to solicitors. The first solicitor contacted me on June. I responded in full detail, and they stopped pursuing the matter — presumably because they realised there was no legal basis for the claim. Now, from September, a different firm (name sounds like a formal court letter) has started sending threatening letters, adding extra charges on top of the original fabricated amount. It is extremely stressful, and completely unnecessary. I have responded to them too and am currently waiting for the court claim they keep threatening, which I am fully prepared to defend. It is deeply disappointing to see a childcare provider — an organisation that should be built on trust, transparency, and care — operate in this manner. Please read every document carefully and insist on receiving contracts before paying any deposit. My experience has shown that parents can be left vulnerable to unfair financial practices.

[Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21WcE1rdHdiVTFPYkV4Q2FXazNibWd3ZG1kMmNWRRAB!2m1!1s0x48798216a7cbc571:0x4d00a5aea4cf902c)

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocLANV1WNiMuak-V9sCETRfITN69S3CjXPJJVJtuch-QaErCng=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba2)

Caroline Slade

a year ago

We have been using this nursery for 6 weeks, and I think it is exceptional. I was astonished at how quickly our little one settled in, and the strong bond she has already developed with her key worker - and in fact all the other staff! I have never seen any staff or child looking stressed or upset, it is a consistently calm and positive environment and everyone seems to enjoy being there. The facilities are modern and amazingly clean, and we have been impressed by the quality and range of food offered. And the on-site soft play is just phenomenal - it's amazing that the children have access to this every day! Thank you to all the team.

[Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURudTVhUjN3RRAB!2m1!1s0x48798216a7cbc571:0x4d00a5aea4cf902c)

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocJQMLoQbHVlcVuvHD112q75a-2e2kBChFpL0dj1O-vHg-2BbQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo)

Nicola Stainton

a year ago

We visited many nurseries when deciding where to send our daughter, but no where compared to once upon a time. It is a modern, clean, well organised facility and the staff are motivated, caring and approachable. The range of activities offered daily is great, as is the use of the indoor and outdoor space. The Soft play area really sets it apart from others.The food is varied and healthy and has encouraged our daughter to try lots of new things. She loves attending nursery and speaks about it often when at home. Each room she has been in has been excellent and very age appropriate. She particularly loves her current room leader Aimee. We look forward to also sending our son here soon. Nicola Atkinson

[Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN6LVpMVW13RRAB!2m1!1s0x48798216a7cbc571:0x4d00a5aea4cf902c)

Reviews from Google for Once Upon A Time Daycare. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=5548616910428409900&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA)

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

17 September 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](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50170594)

## Frequently asked about Once Upon A Time Daycare

### Is Once Upon A Time Daycare a day nursery or preschool?

### What part of the country is Once Upon A Time Daycare in?

### How does Once Upon A Time Daycare support children who speak English as an additional language?

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### From what age does Once Upon A Time Daycare accept children?

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