Opening hours
8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
Number of places
60 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Croydon
About this day nursery
Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club, established in 1995, operates as a childcare setting for children aged 2 to 4 years. Open term-time, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, the pre-school provides a good quality of education, as noted in its latest Ofsted inspection on 9 September 2025.
The curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to meet the diverse learning and development needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language (EAL). Staff are skilled and possess a strong understanding of child development, enabling them to create an engaging and stimulating curriculum.
They foster a warm and secure environment through gentle interactions, actively listening to children, and building strong, trusting relationships, which helps children to settle into routines and develop confidence. The setting prioritises children's physical development, with a rich outdoor environment that encourages climbing, running, and navigating obstacles.
This also supports the development of fine motor skills, crucial for writing, as children manipulate tools to scoop soil and shape malleable dough. For children with EAL, staff work closely with families, valuing and celebrating their home languages while simultaneously extending their English vocabulary.
The leadership team has a clear vision, focusing on continuous improvement and has successfully implemented changes based on feedback from previous inspections. This commitment to quality, combined with a supportive team culture and regular staff training, ensures a high standard of care and education for all children.
What it's like
Children enjoy their time at the pre-school and have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their learning and development needs, including those with SEND and EAL. Staff are skilled and understand child development, creating an exciting and motivating curriculum. They provide warmth and gentle interactions, listening to children and building trusting relationships, which helps children feel safe and secure, settle into routines, and develop confidence.
Language-rich environmentMotivated learnersOutdoor playSupportive staffBroad curriculumStrong leadership
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
1995
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club
Last inspected 9 September 2025
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children enjoy their time at the pre-school and have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their learning and development needs, including those with SEND and EAL. Staff are skilled and understand child development, creating an exciting and motivating curriculum. They provide warmth and gentle interactions, listening to children and building trusting relationships, which helps children feel safe and secure, settle into routines, and develop confidence.
Inspector highlights
- Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the setting, with a strong focus on raising quality and have responded well to feedback from the last inspection.
- Staff are well supported through a positive team culture and strong leadership, with regular training to ensure confidence in their roles.
- Staff provide a language-rich environment, introducing vocabulary through stories, group times and discussions, and valuing children's home languages.
- Children demonstrate a strong motivation to learn, with exposure to a range of activities they may not have experienced before, such as growing vegetables and learning about animals.
- Staff provide a balance of child-led and adult-led activities that addresses all areas of the curriculum, making use of opportunities to join in with children's play and engage in conversations.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to enhance children's thinking skills by giving children more time to respond to questions with their own ideas and opinions
- 2strengthen staff teaching to focus more precisely on planned learning intentions to help children make progress in their learning.
Inspection #10374215 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The curriculum meets the learning and development needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Outdoor space
The outside environment strongly supports children's physical skills. Children have continuous access to climb, run and negotiate obstacles as they run around with their friends in the fresh air. They develop the muscles in their hands that are later used for writing as they use tools to scoop soil into containers and squash malleable dough into shapes.
EAL / language support
The curriculum meets the learning and development needs of children who speak English as an additional language. Staff work closely with families who speak English as an additional language, valuing and celebrating children's home language while also extending their English vocabulary.
Parent Reviews of Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club
5.0
(49)
kiya walrond
6 months ago
I am absolutely thrilled with the nursery! The care and attention my child receives are truly exceptional. From the warm welcome to the engaging activities and every aspect of the nursery is well thought out. The staff are dedicated, passionate, and genuinely care about the children's development. The nursery has created a nurturing environment that fosters growth, learning, and happiness. I feel confident and grateful to have found such an outstanding nursery for my child. Highly recommended!
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Yolanda Lang
10 months ago
Once upon a Time Nursery was a blessing to me and my son. We were with them for under a year but my clingy, shy little babyboy blossomed into a chatty, friendly, smart and confident little boy. The Staff are friendly and caring and Reena was my son's favourite and couldn't thank her enough for getting my son to adapt into nursery. Kay was my blessing and helped me in all my desperate situations. Here they cater to what best suits your child and not the nursery. The children are always engaged with activities and entertainment and enough plenty staff to watch over the kids. Thank you for giving my son the fundamental start he needed 🙏
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Jyoti Lamichhane
10 months ago
Once Upon A Time is one of the best preschools. We loved it. The teachers were so friendly, welcoming, and helpful. My daughter was always excited to go to school and came home happy every day. We saw so much growth in her confidence and learning during her time there.
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Liana Sakne
8 months ago
Once Upon a Time best nursery with caring and friendly staff. Thank you for your incredible care, patience, and guidance. You’ve helped our little Katerina grow with confidence, curiosity, and kindness. We truly appreciate everything you do! xxx
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Faye Sheehan
10 months ago
My son and my daughter both went to this nursery and I cant put into words just how amazing all the staff are. They go above and beyond for the children, making every parent feel confident their child is in safe hands and they support the families. Kay who runs the nursery in an incredibly amazing woman who goes beyond to make the children's learning and experience one of a kind. A big thankyou to everyone at once upon a time for making both of my Children's nursery experience amazing. We will miss you all so much ❤️
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025
Date: November 2018
- September 2025Good
- October 2024Requires improvement
- November 2018Outstanding
Frequently asked about Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club
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