Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Play Place Wayside Nursery

Ofsted: Expected standard·
4.2(5 parent reviews) ·21 Wayside, Fieldway, Croydon, CR0 9DX · Croydon
Number of places
50 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2026
Local authority
Croydon

About this day nursery

Play Place Wayside Nursery, registered in February 2014, provides childcare for children aged 1 to 4 years in Croydon. Open Monday to Friday from 07:45 to 18:00, the nursery offers an all-year provision, ensuring continuity for families.

The dedicated team, led by experienced leaders, focuses on creating a calm and positive environment where children can thrive, supported by a curriculum that builds on their existing knowledge and skills. The nursery prioritises a highly inclusive culture, making sure every child feels welcomed and valued.

They are particularly adept at supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, utilising strategies like visual routines, Makaton signing, and sensory tools such as weighted blankets to aid emotional regulation. This tailored approach extends to children who speak English as an additional language, helping them to engage fully and make steady progress.

Children engage in a variety of hands-on activities, from creative play with dough to outdoor exploration and movement activities like riding toys, which promote their coordination and problem-solving skills. The nursery's commitment to supporting children's understanding of the world and healthy routines ensures a holistic and nurturing experience for all.

What it's like

Children arrive eager to explore and quickly settle into the day, feeling secure and supported. They enjoy hands-on discovery and problem-solving, building curiosity, confidence, and empathy. The setting supports children's understanding of the world and healthy routines, ensuring all children, including those with barriers to learning, are welcomed and supported.

Inclusive cultureTailored SEND supportHands-on playCalm environmentCurriculum progression

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Request pricing →

Key facts

Opening hours

Term Time, Mondays to Fridays, 7.45am - 6.00pm

Age range

9 months+

Term time / All Year

All_year

Food

Home-cooked dinners provided on site

Established

2014

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Jan 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Play Place Wayside Nursery

Last inspected 16 January 2026 · Jenny Selvakumaran

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children arrive eager to explore and quickly settle into the day, feeling secure and supported. They enjoy hands-on discovery and problem-solving, building curiosity, confidence, and empathy. The setting supports children's understanding of the world and healthy routines, ensuring all children, including those with barriers to learning, are welcomed and supported.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders foster a highly inclusive culture, where every child is welcomed, valued and feels a genuine sense of belonging.
  • Staff tailor their practice to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Children explore, experiment and learn through hands-on play.
  • Leaders create a calm and positive environment, where children understand what is expected of them.
  • Leaders plan a curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should ensure staff consistently give children sufficient time and opportunity to complete tasks independently.
  • 2Leaders should better support children's posture, balance and coordination, such as by reviewing and organising the environment, furniture, equipment and resources.
Inspection #10373500 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders ensure that children's needs are prioritised by making timely referrals and using baseline assessments, ongoing observations and regular discussions with families. Staff tailor their practice to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, using visual routines and Makaton signing to help children to understand and communicate effectively. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to regulate their emotions using strategies such as bouncing or weighted blankets, helping them to focus, manage energy and feel secure.

Outdoor space

Children access movement activities, such as riding toys, scooping water and outdoor exploration, to develop their coordination, strength and control.

EAL / language support

Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, engage fully in activities and make steady progress from their starting points, becoming increasingly confident in managing tasks, exploring ideas and taking responsibility for their learning.

Parent Reviews of Play Place Wayside Nursery

4.2
(5)
Claire Read
4 years ago

My son attends and he absolutely loves it! I was worried with how he would be due to being a lockdown baby but since attending he has come on leaps and bounds. He points to the nursery every morning as we walk there. The staff are welcoming, caring and professional. They have a wide range of activities he enjoys and also loves the trips out to the land! Thank you to all the staff for welcoming my little boy with open arms and caring for him so well!

Read on Google
Samanther Adair
4 years ago

My son started there and he wasn't to keen, being a lock down baby he used to cry when going in, now he walks in and gets on with it. He has settled in really well, The staff are great, friendly and helpful. Im glad he goes here.

Read on Google
Sean Torrance
4 years ago

My child loves attending this nursery and has come on leaps and bounds thanks to the caring friendly staff. My child loves the hot food served every day and cant wait to see his friends each morning.

Read on Google
Lola Atobatele
2 years ago

Went there to get my wrist band for playfest. Check it out it is on the 5th of Aug. My daughter and I will be there

Read on Google
abdulahi
4 years ago

This place is really upsetting of you send a kid here you'd might aswell send them to a boarding school

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Play Place Wayside Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2014

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Requires improvement). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • March 2025Requires improvement
  • January 2020Good
  • August 2014Requires improvement

Frequently asked about Play Place Wayside Nursery

Nearby day nurseries in Croydon

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Play Place Wayside Nursery.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

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