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The Play Den Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2021)
·
4.8(19 parent reviews) ·Unit 17b, Headlands Trading Estate, Swindon, SN2 7JQ · Swindon
Number of places
48 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2021
Local authority
Swindon

About this day nursery

The Play Den Nursery, established in 2005, offers high-quality full and part-time childcare services for children ranging from 3 months to 11 years old. Situated in Upper Stratton, Swindon, it provides a nurturing "home from home" environment that is conveniently accessible for parents working in Kembrey Park, Headlands Trading Estate, and Elgin Industrial Estate.

The nursery operates Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 6 pm, for 48 weeks of the year. The Play Den also extends its services to include government-funded sessions for eligible children, with options for 15 to 30 hours of childcare per week, subject to availability and eligibility criteria.

A unique offering is their term-time only contracts, catering specifically to professional parents who do not require childcare during school holidays. Additionally, the nursery provides reliable wrap-around care for school-aged children attending St. Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Beechcroft Infants School, and Ruskin Junior School, fostering strong partnerships with these local educational institutions.

During school holidays, The Play Den runs the "Rockin' Robins Holiday club," which offers a variety of engaging activities designed to keep children mentally and physically stimulated, providing continuous support for busy parents.

What it's like

Children settle quickly and happily engage in a varied range of learning opportunities. They enjoy close relationships with staff and are well-behaved and polite. Staff know the children well and have high expectations for all of them.

Established in 2005Caters to 3 months to 11 yearsGovernment-funded sessions availableTerm-time only contractsWrap-around care for school-aged children

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.

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Key facts

Opening hours

7:30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, 48 weeks of the year

Age range

3 months to 11 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Play Den Nursery

Last inspected 13 July 2021

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

What it's like to attend

Children settle quickly and happily engage in a varied range of learning opportunities. They enjoy close relationships with staff and are well-behaved and polite. Staff know the children well and have high expectations for all of them.

Inspector highlights

  • Children settle quickly on arrival and happily get involved in a varied range of learning opportunities.
  • Staff know the children well and have high expectations for all of them.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well.
  • Staff provide an inclusive welcome for parents and carers and work successfully with them to ensure a shared approach.
  • Staff support children's communication well, providing a language-rich environment for children of all ages.

Areas to develop

  • 1provide more opportunities for children who are learning English as an additional language to use their home language in play and learning, and extend the range of images and resources that show positive images of diversity to help all children learn about differences
  • 2provide children with more opportunities to learn about the natural world, with particular regard to growing and observing plants.
Inspection #10198894 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents report that their children enjoy attending and are impressed with the rate of their development.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. The special needs coordinator is skilled at recognising potential delays in children's development. She works with parents, staff and other professionals to provide the help each child requires to make good progress from their starting points.

Outdoor space

Although there are resources available, such as troughs, seed trays and watering cans, children do not regularly use these for planting and observing growth. The setting needs to provide children with more opportunities to learn about the natural world, with particular regard to growing and observing plants.

Parent Reviews of The Play Den Nursery

4.8
(19)
Ezra Opie
4 months ago

I recently had to withdraw my daughter from nursery, but I wanted to leave a heartfelt thank you to everyone at The Play Den Nursery. She was so well cared for during her time there, and Karen in particular helped bring out so much confidence in her. I’m so incredibly grateful for the kindness, patience, and dedication shown by the team. Thank you all for everything you’ve done.

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Katie Maxam
a year ago

This nursery is a little hidden gem in Swindon, it really has a home from home vibe which is a reflection of how much the staff care and all the time they give to the kids here. My little one is so happy to go in here and can name all the staff, although they have different rooms they make sure everyone interacts with each child which makes it feel like just one big family. Naturally as a mother you are protective and worried about leaving your child (we started at 11months), however the leader of the baby room is fantastic and her love for all the babies is so clear and I’m so glad we chose this nursery as I literally haven’t worried for a moment about my little one’s care. I would say from management down the main vibe of this nursery is silly fun and what more could you ask for your early childhood than a fun, silly, safe, loving space. 5 stars!

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Emma
a year ago

Going back to work after having a baby is terrifying and finding the right childcare was such a difficult decision. However, after meeting the staff at The Play Den and seeing their facilities I knew this was the right place for my little boy. They were welcoming from the very first moment and my little boy has learnt so much and built his confidence over the year from the wide range of activities they provide. It’s clear he enjoys his time at the nursery and has a brilliant bond with the staff. Would highly recommend to anyone.

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Tina Hutton Clarke
a year ago

The play den is amazing at supporting the children and the family they give a fantastic well rounded education in a nurturing environment. My little one been going for 2 years and she had never not wanted to go she loves it loves the trips to shops ,farm animals cooking you name it and this educational setting go out and beyond their way to give her fantastic education. The food menus are Excellent with a varied variety of foods and she has loved every little bit Not sure what else I can say, but I highly recommend this setting and if I have any other Children or anybody comes to me, it would definitely be the Play Den I would recommend

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M Ngavel
a year ago

All of the staffs at this nursery is amazing, however, I am just disappointed and lost so much money to this nursery, I have paid a whole month of extra fees £245 to start with and my daughter only had 4 sessions (12 hrs) a week 2 weeks worth and they are again charging me for another month worth of £245!!! Lost 2 weeks of extra fees!!! And they also claimed 4 weeks eventhough my LO is not attending the nursery anymore! To add to this, I have found a childminder for my daughter and when she is about to claim she can't claim because this nursery is claiming still until 31st December. So If I haven't found a childminder, I wouldn't know that this nursery is still claiming the funded hours!!!

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Reviews from Google for The Play Den Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: December 2017

  • July 2021Good
  • December 2017Good

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