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Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School

Ofsted: Expected standard·
4.0(12 Google reviews)
·Wallingford Street, Wantage, OX12 8AZ · Oxfordshire
Number of places
128 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2026
Local authority
Oxfordshire

About this day nursery

Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School in Wantage, registered with Ofsted in 2017, provides childcare for children aged 0-4 years. The nursery operates all year round from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, offering a consistent and supportive environment.

Following a recent inspection on 24 February 2026, the nursery received an overall "Good" rating from Ofsted, highlighting the significant improvements made by the new leadership team. The leadership team is committed to continuous improvement, with clear plans in place to further enhance the nursery experience for all children.

The staff, who are well-trained and supported, act as effective key persons, ensuring children receive consistent care and education. This support allows children to show excitement as they engage in play and exploration, benefiting from activities planned to support their individual learning journeys.

The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, focusing on developing children's curiosity and independence. Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School prioritises children's well-being and engagement through a carefully considered curriculum and dedicated staff, making it a nurturing choice for families in the Wantage area.

What it's like

The new leadership team has made significant improvements to the nursery since the last inspection, creating a safe and welcoming environment. Staff have received training and support to improve their knowledge and skills, and act as effective key persons, providing consistent support for children. Children show excitement as they play, explore, and concentrate well, benefiting from staff who know them well and plan activities to support their next steps in learning.

Good Ofsted ratingExperienced leadershipEnthusiastic learnersEYFS curriculumPositive parent feedback

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am to 6pm

Term time / All Year

All_year

Registered with Ofsted

2017

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Feb 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
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School

Last inspected 24 February 2026 · Tracy Bartholomew

What it's like to attend

The new leadership team has made significant improvements to the nursery since the last inspection, creating a safe and welcoming environment. Staff have received training and support to improve their knowledge and skills, and act as effective key persons, providing consistent support for children. Children show excitement as they play, explore, and concentrate well, benefiting from staff who know them well and plan activities to support their next steps in learning.

Inspector highlights

  • The leadership team has a clear vision for the nursery and has many plans in place for continued improvements.
  • Staff support children's interests well during self-chosen play, successfully interweaving what children need to learn into their self-chosen play activities.
  • Children behave well and, together with the staff, they have fun, receiving praise and encouragement.
  • Staff model language well to support children's speaking skills and vocabulary development.
  • Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and meals, and staff sit and assist them during mealtimes.
  • Parents are very complimentary about the changes that have been made to the nursery since the last inspection.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should support staff to further develop their communication and language practice so high-quality interactions are modelled consistently across the provision.
  • 2Leaders should support staff, specifically in the pre-school room, to adopt more flexible transitions to maintain engagement and smoother movement through the day.
  • 3Leaders should strengthen the support offered to staff to ensure that high expectations, along with agreed policies and procedures, are consistently embedded across the nursery, helping to further improve the quality of provision.
Inspection #10313857 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children of all ages and abilities are warmly welcomed. Leaders promote an inclusive culture where children's individual needs are identified, discussed, and monitored effectively in partnership with parents. Staff support children who need extra help, and inclusion is a clear strength of the setting, with leaders having high expectations for all children.

Outdoor space

All children enjoy regular outdoor play, where they build strength and coordination through games, exploring climbing apparatus and riding bikes around obstacles. Leaders have plans to further enhance the garden, demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement.

Google Reviews of Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School

4.0
(12 Google reviews)
Laura Sansum
a year ago

My son has been attending Rockwell nursery for over 6 months, its such a welcoming and safe environment. It's clear how much the staff love the children and it's always lovely having the pick up hand over :) We've also seen our son learning and developing so well under their care. We fully recommend Rockwell!

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Sylwia Krawczyk
a year ago

Absolutely amazing nursery, the staff is dedicated above and beyond, helping to make the nursery a truly amazing place. They have several projects ongoing or in planning, they keep on working very hard to keep introducing new initiatives. I cannot thank the team at Rockwell House enough for what they are doing for us and for other families to help and support the children in every way.

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Federica Rinaldi
2 years ago

Absolutely amazing setting, lovely staff. The setting is spacious compared to other nurseries and very clean. The food is healthy and freshly made. Parents get to download an application where they receive updates about nappies, meals and sleep, as well as photos. My little own joined a month ago and made so much progress already. Overall, very high-level service.

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Josh Niemiec
2 years ago

Absolute shambles of a nursery. After deciding to shut the entire year group my son attended with very little warning, they did very little to help the situation and were very unhelpful and unapologetic. Many times I gave them the benefit of doubt, but there has now been so many issues I can’t believe it. Their staff turnover in the last year has been crazy, there is a different member of staff each time I had to go to collect my son. By the end of the time we had with Rockwell house I didn’t even know who my child’s key worker was. On numerous occasions we were asked if we could keep our child off for the day as they had no staff. We have been told one thing by one member of staff only to be told that it isn’t true by other more senior staff, including their Area Manager. It’s difficult to believe any thing they tell us now a days. The communication between staff and parents is very poor, I had not one update or report on my child’s development in the 15ish months he attended Rockwell house. They have also now taken over a month to pay back money we are owed from funding we need to pay our new nursery. Multiple time we have been promised a call back but keep having to chase them. All in all, one to seriously avoid if you can.

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Rose Watson
3 years ago

What a wonderful nursery. Huge building and absolutely top drawer staff. Our son Dexter really struggled with separation anxiety with being a lockdown baby but his confidence has just grown and grown and he's like a different child. I'm certain that Rockwell has had something to do with it :) Low staff turnover which is hard to find in a nursery yet so important for consistency.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2020

  • February 2026Expected standard
  • February 2024Good
  • October 2023Inadequate
  • February 2020Good

Frequently asked about Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School

About the setting

Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School registered in 2017 and is located in Wantage, Oxfordshire. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, throughout the year. It is in receipt of funding for free early education for children aged two and three years. The nursery employs 16 staff, nine of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications.

URN
EY551926
Registered person
Busy Bees Nurseries Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

Nearby day nurseries in Wantage

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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