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Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Oct 2023)
·
4.3(6 parent reviews) ·Hildebrand Barracks, Pennypot Lane, Harrogate, HG3 2SB · North Yorkshire
Number of places
65 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2023
Local authority
North Yorkshire

About this day nursery

Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche operates from the Jubilee Centre within Hildebrand Barracks in Harrogate, offering childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The nursery is open for 51 weeks a year, closing only for a week over Christmas, from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

They offer various contract types including all year round (51 weeks), North Yorkshire Term Time (38 weeks), and Army Foundation College Term Time (43 weeks). The nursery focuses on supporting children's natural curiosity and development through a child-centred approach, especially for their youngest attendees in the Bright Buttons and Moon Beams rooms, which cater to babies up to 24 months.

These spaces are designed to be bright, spacious, and filled with natural light, with a dedicated, partially sheltered outdoor play area promoting free-flow activities. Penny Pot Nursery integrates the Early Years Foundation Stage framework throughout its settings.

They also offer tours of their facilities for prospective families and provide information on government funding options for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.

Our ethos

Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche focuses on supporting children's natural curiosity and development through a child-centred approach, integrating the Early Years Foundation Stage framework throughout its settings.

What it's like

Children arrive excited to start their day in this exceptionally nurturing and inclusive nursery. Staff put relationships with children at the heart of everything they do and have very strong relationships that help children feel safe and secure. Children thrive and learn exceptionally well in this highly vibrant nursery, where a meaningful and rich curriculum expertly supports every child to be the best they can be.

Child-centred approachOutdoor play areaOffers tours

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on an hourly rate with different pricing for under and over two-year-olds. A minimum booking of two four-hour sessions is required. Deposits and registration fees apply, and meal charges are applicable for certain age groups unless parents opt out.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Minimum booking of 2 x 4 hour sessions required.
  • 5% sibling discount is applied to the eldest sibling.
  • Fees are reviewed annually at the beginning of the summer term in April.
  • Registration fee and deposit are required, excluding funded-only placements.
  • No consumable or meal charges for Bright Buttons, Moon Beams, and Roaring Rockets.
  • Optional meal charges apply for Superstars group, with opt-out available.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 6:00 pm, 51 weeks per year (closed Christmas week)

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

1998

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche

Last inspected 25 October 2023 · Jennifer Cowton

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children arrive excited to start their day in this exceptionally nurturing and inclusive nursery. Staff put relationships with children at the heart of everything they do and have very strong relationships that help children feel safe and secure. Children thrive and learn exceptionally well in this highly vibrant nursery, where a meaningful and rich curriculum expertly supports every child to be the best they can be.

Inspector highlights

  • The quality of teaching is exceptional, with staff adapting learning experiences to support children's next steps, leading to excellent progress.
  • The manager and deputy are inspirational, with a clear vision of quality practice and a commitment to continuous professional development for staff.
  • Staff provide excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including an engaging sensory room and targeted intervention work.
  • Children are confident communicators, benefiting from excellent role modelling, meaningful conversations, open-ended questions, and the use of Makaton.
  • Children show tremendous levels of independence and self-care skills, and develop an excellent awareness of healthy living with regular opportunities for outdoor activity and physical play.
Inspection #10312219 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents say that their children have made excellent progress with their development since they have started attending.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff provide excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, staff have developed an engaging and stimulating sensory room for SEND children. The special educational needs coordinator is integral in ensuring all children with SEND make excellent progress in their learning, working with other professionals to provide activities and communication tools for targeted intervention.

Outdoor space

Children have regular opportunities to be active in the outdoor spaces, which are used in all weathers. Children take part in weekly football sessions and yoga classes to support their physical health in a fun and exciting way.

Parent Reviews of Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche

4.3
(6)
Alex Pe
4 years ago

Great lovely clean nursery which has recently been done up and new manager Tracey who is lovely and accommodating. My son goes off with open arms to the staff who are friendly and welcoming. They provide updates on the Family app which is great and tells you what and how much they ate, naps, nappy changes and activities. A lot of money has been put into the venue over past 6 months and the photos on the Google don’t do it justice.

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Chris Jackson
4 years ago

The nursery has just been taken over by a new manager, and the difference is amazing! My daughter is so much happier now that she has moved to Penny Pot nursery. There is much more of a family feel here, and the staff are brilliant. There is loads for the children to do, and there are parks within the base for the children to use, and its just been refurbished inside, and looks loads better. I'm so glad that we moved her here!

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Just me
4 years ago

Nursery is clean and staff are lovely, glad my granddaughter is starting here January. Looks new so think its just been done.

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Margaret Heys
8 years ago

a very calming home from home nursery, fantastic staff willing to go that extra mile

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023

Date: March 2012

  • October 2023Outstanding
  • April 2018Good
  • June 2017Requires improvement
  • June 2016Outstanding
  • March 2012Good

Frequently asked about Penny Pot Pre-School and Under 5s Creche

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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