--- title: "Puddle Ducks — Rated Good by Ofsted | Nursery Advice" description: "Puddle Ducks, a nursery in Downham Market — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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The listing also links to the nursery’s online presence for further details." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When was Puddle Ducks established?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery website says the setting has provided childcare to the local community for more than 30 years. It also states that the current registration date is 5 September 2022." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the main strengths of Puddle Ducks?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff respond quickly when children need extra support and know them well enough to support emotional needs effectively. 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Morning sessions run from 7.30am to 8.45am, and after-school care runs from 3.30pm to 5.45pm during term time." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [East of England](/search?region=East+of+England) 4. Puddle Ducks # Puddle Ducks Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Feb 2025) · Hillcrest Primary School, Downham Market, PE38 9ND · Norfolk Number of places 28 places Age range 2–5 yrs Last inspected Feb 2025 Local authority Norfolk About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Puddle Ducks Nursery, located at Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market, Norfolk, offers a nurturing environment for children from reception to year 6. With over 30 years of experience in providing quality childcare, the nursery is led by Fiona and her dedicated team of qualified practitioners. They focus on fostering a safe, happy, and stimulating atmosphere where children can learn and grow through play, developing strong communication skills, confidence, and independence. The nursery operates term-time, 39 weeks a year, from 7:30 am to 5:45 pm, Monday to Friday. In addition to nursery services, Puddle Ducks provides a before and after-school club for primary school-aged children, offering breakfast for an additional fee. The setting boasts both indoor and outdoor learning environments, including a canopy area and a grassed learning space, designed to cater to all ages. They accept government funding for eligible children and encourage prospective families to arrange a visit to experience the nursery firsthand. Our ethos Puddle Ducks Nursery aims to foster a safe, happy, and stimulating atmosphere where children can learn and grow through play, developing strong communication skills, confidence, and independence. What it's like Leaders and staff create a warm and friendly learning environment for all children. They know the children very well, and this helps them to support children's emotional needs effectively. Consequently, children feel safe, secure and settled in the nursery. Term-time only Before and After School Club Indoor and Outdoor Learning ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) Pricing on request This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability. ## Key facts Opening hours Open from 7.30am until 5.45pm – Monday to Friday Session types Morning session (09:00 - 15:00), Afternoon session (09:00 - 15:00) Food Breakfast available for an additional fee. Age range Reception to Year 6 Term time / All Year Term Time ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Puddle Ducks Inspection date Feb 2025 Inspection no. 10367966 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50271471)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2699597) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number [ Visit website ](https://www.puddleduckshillcrest.co.uk/) Hillcrest Primary School, Downham Market, PE38 9ND [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/0.39444/52.60435/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Downham Market - [Day nurseries in Downham Market](/search?q=Downham+Market) - [Day nurseries in East of England](/search?q=East+of+England) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=puddle-ducks-pe38-9nd-2699597) Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Puddle Ducks Last inspected 6 February 2025 Overall effectiveness Good Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good What it's like to attend Leaders and staff create a warm and friendly learning environment for all children. They know the children very well, and this helps them to support children's emotional needs effectively. Consequently, children feel safe, secure and settled in the nursery. Inspector highlights - Leaders and staff have devised a well-sequenced and balanced curriculum with a high focus on personal, social and emotional development. - Staff provide children with a range of rich experiences, including visits to a local care home and weekly music sessions. - Staff work with parents effectively to support children who speak English as an additional language, using innovative communication methods. - Leaders are passionate and committed to delivering high-quality experiences and have a clear vision for continuous development. - The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture that puts children's interests first. Areas to develop - 1 support staff to establish a more consistent approach to supporting children's developing independence skills - 2 support staff to build on their questioning techniques to give children time to think, solve problems and develop their language skills further Inspection #10367966 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50271471) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Staff respond swiftly to those children who may need extra support. They know the children very well, and this helps them to support children's emotional needs effectively. Outdoor space Children become engrossed as they use paint brushes and water to make marks on the fence. Staff are on hand to support children's learning skilfully. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. Inspection history Most recent inspection 6 February 2025 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/50271471) ## Frequently asked about Puddle Ducks ### How can Puddle Ducks be contacted? ### When was Puddle Ducks established? ### What are the main strengths of Puddle Ducks? ### What is the address of Puddle Ducks? ### Does Puddle Ducks offer before or after school care? ## Nearby day nurseries in Downham Market Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Puddle Ducks. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Downham Nursery School Downham Market · PE38 9QG ](/nursery/downham-nursery-school-pe38-9qg-ey398091) - [ Awaiting first inspection 1.3 mi ### Giggles N Squiggles Downham Downham Market · PE38 9SW ](/nursery/giggles-n-squiggles-downham-pe38-9sw-2783803) - [ Ofsted: Good 4.5 mi ### Watlington Preschool Kings Lynn · PE33 0HU ](/nursery/watlington-preschool-pe33-0hu-ey433017) [See all nurseries in Downham Market →](/search?q=Downham+Market) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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