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The Cottage Nursery in Crayford

Ofsted: Expected standard·
5.0(25 parent reviews) ·The Cottage, Lower Station Road, Crayford, DA1 3PY · Bexley
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2026
Local authority
Bexley

About this day nursery

The Cottage Nursery, located in Crayford, DA1 3PY, has been providing childcare on non-domestic premises since its registration with Ofsted on March 22, 2016. Catering to children aged 0-4 years, the nursery operates all year round, Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:30.

The setting focuses on an EYFS curriculum approach, designed to be ambitious and well-sequenced, with staff utilising observations and assessments to foster children's progress. The nursery values strong community links, evidenced by visits to the local library and nature reserve, and hosting visits from local police officers.

Leaders prioritise strengthening SEND provision and staff have received targeted training, leading to increased confidence in supporting children with special educational needs. The nursery also places a strong emphasis on communication and language development, with focused interventions, and uses funding effectively to acquire resources like outdoor play equipment and sensory sacks to support children with SEND.

Parents have noted improved communication from the nursery regarding their child's learning and how to support it at home.

Our ethos

The Cottage Nursery is committed to an inclusive admissions policy and adheres to EYFS guidelines. They offer a Forest School programme and prioritise access to meals, snacks, and activities for all children.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled and have positive relationships with staff, enjoying their time at nursery. Tailored settling-in sessions and key-person allocation help children feel secure and belong. Staff know children well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and adapt provision to support their development and confidence, making learning meaningful through targeted support.

Strong CommunicationTailored SupportCommunity LinksSkilled StaffEYFS Curriculum

Pricing & funding

The nursery requires a registration fee to secure a child's booking. Detailed information regarding session times, age-banded fees, and what is included in the rates is not specified.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • A registration fee is payable to secure a booking.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 7:30am till 6:30pm. Closed on Bank Holidays and Between Christmas Eve and New Year Day

Age range

Three months to five years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Session types

Full day (7:30am to 6:30pm)

Established

2016

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

Ofsted rating for The Cottage Nursery

Last inspected 8 January 2026 · Kelly Stiff

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and settled and have positive relationships with staff, enjoying their time at nursery. Tailored settling-in sessions and key-person allocation help children feel secure and belong. Staff know children well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and adapt provision to support their development and confidence, making learning meaningful through targeted support.

Inspector highlights

  • Children, including those with special educational needs and or disabilities, are making meaningful progress, particularly in communication and language.
  • Leaders have strengthened staff supervision and introduced additional training, improving staff confidence and knowledge in delivering the curriculum and supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
  • Communication with parents has been enhanced, with parents now receiving clear information about their child's learning and how to support this at home.
  • Leaders and staff have developed strong community links, including visits to the local library and nature reserve and hosting visitors, such as local police officers.
  • Children are encouraged to become independent and confident and to develop the skills they need.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should support staff to provide guidance for children to understand why certain behavioural expectations are in place more consistently.
  • 2Leaders should support staff to include quieter children more effectively during group activities to enhance learning and development opportunities.
Inspection #10395457 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children, including those with special educational needs and or disabilities, are making meaningful progress, particularly in communication and language. Interventions in circle time deliver targeted support, which means children's oral motor skills are improving. Funding is used effectively to purchase resources, such as sensory sacks, following consultation to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff have received targeted training to support children with SEND, resulting in increased staff confidence and improved planning and implementation of learning for these children. Staff identify areas where children need additional support and adapt provision accordingly, such as using activities based on children's interests or visual prompts for transitions.

Outdoor space

Funding is used effectively to purchase resources, such as outdoor play equipment, following consultation with staff, key persons and parents, to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

EAL / language support

Children, including those with special educational needs and or disabilities, are making meaningful progress, particularly in communication and language. Interventions in circle time deliver targeted support, which means children's oral motor skills are improving so that they are better able to pronounce sounds. Children enjoy these targeted activities and are developing their communication skills and their confidence.

Parent Reviews of The Cottage Nursery

5.0
(25)
Rachel Fuller
a year ago

My youngest daughter has been attending The Cottage Nursery for the last 6 months now and she loves it. She even cries at home time sometimes! The staff are fantastic, they give me feedback each day when I collect her and know my daughters likes and dislikes well. I would whole heartedly recommend this nursery to others. They constantly communicate with me and put on events to allow parents to be a part of as much as possible. 👍 Thank you so much to everybody at the nursery. You have really made my return to work easy and my daughter is flourishing in your care and clearly adores you all!

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Magdalena Miscior
11 months ago

If you are looking for a place for your child close to nature where they can grow up happily and you want to have access and influence on their development you must visit The Cottage Nursery. It is a wonderful place, supporting children and parents, they have their own Forest School, two large safe gardens and freshly cooked food. The practitioners are friendly and supportive, you can contact them during the day. The owner cares about the level of staff training and focuses on the safety of the children.

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Lil Couch
2 years ago

I have recently moved my 2 year old here from another nursery and they really deserve all the praise. My boy is happier, progressing and genuinely seems to enjoy going to nursery again. The team have been superb, their communications have been spot on and their friendly approach has just made all the difference. I know no longer get the mum guilt sending my little boy to nursery, he just seems to love it there. Massive credit to Marie and her team!

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Matt Armitage
6 years ago

The nursery has been great and our daughter has really enjoyed going and made great friends. The staff are very caring, attentive and helpful. Our child's development has definitely accelerated since she started here. The forest school is a good feature too. which our daughter loves!! We would certainly recommend this nursery to family and friends. Thanks again.

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Megan Smith
3 years ago

I have recently enrolled both my children into this nursery, All staff have been so helpful and made sure both my children have settled into nursery life well and are having a lovely time. I get regular updates throughout the day and photos of the activities they have taken part in which I really enjoy seeing. Really am pleased I choose this nursery and would definitely recommend, both of my children love going and already are learning so many amazing new things. Thank you to all the staff at the cottage !

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for The Cottage Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2017

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.

  • June 2025Requires improvement
  • April 2023Good
  • May 2019Good
  • February 2017Good

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