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Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Aug 2025)
·Stable 1, White House Farm, Rackheath, NR13 6LB · Norfolk
Number of places
49 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2025
Local authority
Norfolk

About this day nursery

Once Upon A Time Nursery School at White House Farm, established in July 2017 with grants from Norfolk Community Foundation and Norfolk County Council Early Years, is situated in a converted stable block, offering a unique and engaging environment for children. The nursery embraces its natural surroundings, providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration on the farm land.

Led by Nursery Manager Alex Wells, who has a decade of experience across the organisation's settings, the team dedicates itself to fostering a secure, joyful, and stimulating learning atmosphere through imaginative, play-based activities. The facility includes two spacious nursery rooms, one for younger children with a dedicated sleep/changing room and kitchen, and another for older children with their own washroom.

Both rooms provide direct access to secure outdoor play areas. The nursery uses the 'Tapestry' app for parents to track their child's learning journey and development.

The White House Farm branch has consistently achieved an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted, most recently in August 2025.

Our ethos

The nursery is committed to fostering a secure, joyful, and stimulating learning atmosphere through imaginative, play-based activities, embracing its natural surroundings and providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration on the farm land.

What it's like

Children flourish and thrive in this highly nurturing nursery. They quickly become absorbed in rich and engaging activities that ignite their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Staff are exemplary role models for children and consistently demonstrate positive behaviours and skills.

Farm-based settingOfsted OutstandingOnline learning journal (Tapestry)Home-cooked meals

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on full-day rates with a minimum attendance requirement of two days per week over 51 weeks a year. Fees vary by age group, with separate rates for funded and unfunded sessions. Optional meals and snacks can be purchased or provided by parents.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Minimum attendance of two days per week for 51 weeks a year is required.
  • Consumables charges apply for two, three, and four-year-olds.
  • Meals and snacks are optional; parents can opt to provide these themselves.
  • Late collection fees apply for late pickups.
  • An administration fee may be charged for frequent late payments.

Key facts

Food

Meals and snacks are provided, including breakfast, mid-morning snack, hot lunch, and afternoon tea. Parents can opt out and provide their child's food.

Opening hours

51 weeks of the year, closed for one week at Christmas and bank holidays

Age range

9 months to 4 years old

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full day

Established

2017

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm

Last inspected 28 August 2025 · Laura Redmond

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children flourish and thrive in this highly nurturing nursery. They quickly become absorbed in rich and engaging activities that ignite their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Staff are exemplary role models for children and consistently demonstrate positive behaviours and skills.

Inspector highlights

  • The nursery has an ambitious curriculum that gives children the broad range of knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in life.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive superb support from highly skilled staff and special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinators.
  • Staff are exceptionally skilful in building on children's learning, embedding mathematical concepts superbly into the curriculum.
  • Staff develop excellent relationships with parents, who speak highly of the support they provide for their children.
  • The leadership and management team is inspirational, with a clear and ambitious vision for continuously enhancing the quality of provision for children, families and staff.
Inspection #10399391 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment that the nursery is a 'home away from home', where children are at the heart of everything staff do.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive superb support from highly skilled staff and special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinators. They expertly use their knowledge of each child to provide personalised targets and strategies to ensure they get the support they need at the earliest opportunity. Staff work closely with other professionals and parents and carers remarkably well.

Outdoor space

Children go on regular walks to the local farm, where they explore in the orchards and learn where their food comes from.

Inspection history

Date: November 2019

  • August 2025Outstanding
  • November 2019Outstanding

Frequently asked about Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm

About the setting

Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm registered in 2017 and is located in Rackheath, Norwich. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff, with 16 holding appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and for one week over the Christmas period, with sessions from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides government-funded places for childcare.

URN
EY548884
Registered person
Once Upon A Time Nursery School Ltd
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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