Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Also open during School half term holidays.
The Swan Nursery School
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2024)
Number of places
50 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2024
Local authority
Norfolk
About this day nursery
The Swan Nursery School, established in 1990 and relocated to its current semi-rural site in Roydon in 2006, offers a nurturing environment for young children near Diss. The purpose-built facility includes dedicated indoor spaces for various activities, such as a "wet" room for messy play, a general playroom for imaginative and construction play, a quiet area for reading, and a group activity space.
Outdoors, the nursery boasts extensive facilities within a one-acre garden, including a large patio for riding toys, a separate Forest School area within the woods, a log cabin for older children, a "mini" playground with a climbing frame, playhouse and football pitch, and an outdoor classroom. The nursery values outdoor engagement, aiming to get children outdoors daily to participate in a wide array of activities, including exploring a wildflower garden and a raised area for growing vegetables.
The dedicated team of qualified and experienced staff, many of whom have been with the nursery for over four years, maintain a high staff-to-child ratio, ensuring a stable and caring educational setting. The Swan Nursery and Forest School prides itself on its excellent reputation in South Norfolk and North Suffolk, holding a "Good" Ofsted rating.
Our ethos
The Swan Nursery School integrates a Forest School approach, valuing daily outdoor engagement for children within its extensive one-acre garden and dedicated woodland area. This philosophy is supported by a variety of specialised indoor and outdoor spaces designed to facilitate imaginative play, quiet reflection, and hands-on activities like gardening.
What it's like
Staff greet children warmly, creating an environment where they are excited to spend time with staff and peers. Children benefit from consistent routines and learn what is expected of them from an early age. They make good progress from their starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Forest SchoolOutdoor-focused learningExperienced staff teamPurpose-built facility
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
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
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2006
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for The Swan Nursery School
Last inspected 25 September 2024
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Staff greet children warmly, creating an environment where they are excited to spend time with staff and peers. Children benefit from consistent routines and learn what is expected of them from an early age. They make good progress from their starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Inspector highlights
- Leaders have taken swift action to improve children's safety following a breach of welfare requirements, implementing new headcount procedures.
- Staff provide effective support for children's communication and language development, identifying needs and using different methods like picture cards and speaking buttons for children with SEND.
- Access to the forest school enhances children's understanding of the world around them, with staff using it to support the curriculum effectively.
- The nursery has a high number of children with SEND, and leaders ensure appropriate provision is in place, fostering an inclusive environment and engaging with other professionals.
- Partnerships with parents are effective, with daily feedback and online updates keeping parents well informed about their child's development.
Areas to develop
- 1review the organisation of lunchtime, particularly the noise levels and seating arrangements, to ensure children's needs are met at all times
- 2make sure that all staff consistently include quieter children more effectively during activities to enhance opportunities for their learning and development.
Inspection #10351869 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
their children enjoy attending the nursery and are making good progress.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children make good progress from their starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff provide effective support for children's communication and language development, identifying children's needs and using different methods to support them. For example, children with SEND have picture cards and speaking buttons to help communicate their needs and wishes. The nursery has a high number of children with SEND. Leaders ensure appropriate provision is in place to support these children effectively. Staff foster an inclusive environment. They are quick to engage with other professionals and create individualised plans that address each child's specific needs. Parents speak highly of the support their children receive.
Outdoor space
New headcount procedures are in place, whereby staff use registers to check all children are present when they move from the outdoor play area to indoors. To ensure all children are accounted for, final checks are also made of the outdoor area by staff. Access to the forest school enhances children's understanding of the world around them. Children enjoy learning about conkers and oak trees, and they sing songs together and enjoy exploring the area. Children enjoy playing with their friends outdoors. However, these areas are not always fully prepared before children begin to play.
Parent Reviews of The Swan Nursery School
5.0
(1)
Magdalena Parczewska
5 years ago
Reviews from Google for The Swan Nursery School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: January 2010
- September 2024Good
- November 2015Good
- January 2010Good
Frequently asked about The Swan Nursery School
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