Staff
Staff are Paediatric First Aid trained, Level 3 Safeguarding Qualified, and the majority are Level 3 Qualified or in training.
Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley
Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2025)
Number of places
26 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2025
Local authority
Norfolk
About this day nursery
Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley, located adjacent to Reffley School on Reffley Lane in King's Lynn, provides early years care for children aged 2 to 5 years old. The nursery operates during term-time only, following the Norfolk School Calendar for 38 weeks a year, with daily hours from 8:45 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
They also offer an after-school club for children up to 11 years old from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. Committed to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and independence, Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley aims to prepare children for school by instilling a love for learning and essential life skills.
The nursery prides itself on its dedicated team, who provide exceptional care and education. They emphasise a play-based learning approach, individualised instruction, and natural development in a stimulating environment.
The facilities include age-appropriate classrooms, well-equipped play areas, and safe outdoor spaces, with a strong focus on hygiene, security, and safeguarding. The staff are paediatric first aid trained and hold Level 3 safeguarding qualifications, with a majority being Level 3 qualified or in training.
Our ethos
"Committed to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and independence, Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley aims to prepare children for school by instilling a love for learning and essential life skills. They emphasise a play-based learning approach, individualised instruction, and natural development in a stimulating environment."
What it's like
Children are warmly greeted and reassured, forming secure bonds with nurturing staff. They enjoy their time, increasing confidence through exploring the environment and engaging in energetic activities like movement sessions, while learning independent skills such as toileting and handwashing. Children are familiar with routines, understand expectations, and respond efficiently to staff requests, demonstrating kindness and consideration towards each other.
Term-time onlyFollows Norfolk School CalendarStrong focus on safeguardingPlay-based learningAfter-school club available
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.
Request pricing →Key facts
Session types
Term-time only, After-school club (3pm-5:30pm for ages up to 11)
Food
Nutritious snacks provided; parents bring packed lunch.
Opening hours
8:45 AM - 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday
Age range
2 years to 5 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Waitlist
Join the waitlist via Famly app
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley
Last inspected 28 January 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
Children are warmly greeted and reassured, forming secure bonds with nurturing staff. They enjoy their time, increasing confidence through exploring the environment and engaging in energetic activities like movement sessions, while learning independent skills such as toileting and handwashing. Children are familiar with routines, understand expectations, and respond efficiently to staff requests, demonstrating kindness and consideration towards each other.
Inspector highlights
- Children are warmly greeted by staff and quickly settle.
- Children increase their confidence as they explore the environment and toys.
- Children are familiar with daily routines and understand expectations, following guidance that helps to keep them safe. They are kind and considerate, with older children helping younger children.
- Children enjoy sensory play experiences, keenly exploring a variety of textures.
- Staff work effectively as a team to quickly identify if a child may not be meeting typical milestones, working sensitively with parents and other professionals.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to make a clear link between the intent and delivery of planned activities to enable them to shape those activities successfully to the learning needs of children
- 2review and develop further the organisation of routine activities to enable younger or less confident children to fully join in to extend their listening and attention skills.
Inspection #10377776 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents spoken to on the day of the inspection comment positively about the nursery and staff team. They state their children are very happy and love to attend.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff work effectively as a team to quickly identify if a child may not be meeting typical milestones. They work sensitively with parents and, when necessary, closely with other professionals and agencies to help ensure that these children reach their full potential.
Outdoor space
Children are given the opportunity to be energetic, eagerly joining in with staff movement sessions and balancing on different height stepping stones indoors. Outdoors, children experiment with water and sand where staff supervise well and demonstrate what else can be made with the different materials.
Parent Reviews of Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley
5.0
(8)
Brittany Winn
a year ago
Our son is absolutely thriving since going to this Nursery. He has always been a very outgoing character, but since starting in February, we’ve noticed a huge change in how well he speaks, how polite he is & his general day to day knowledge. He’s constantly surprising us with something new he’s learned and is happy to share all the things he learns at nursery. The staff are wonderful, so friendly and helpful. We are really looking forward to spending another school year here.
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Kathryn Fox-Courtman
a year ago
Tom Thumb Reffley have been amazing for the last 3 years, helping us and supporting us through our not so normal journey. They made our little one feel so special, she loved going in and loved all the ladies. She is so ready for school and it's thanks to these ladies for getting her there, with her counting, writing and socialising.
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Stephanie Smith
a year ago
An amazing little nursery and staff , my little one did not get on very well at two other nurseries crying and refusing to go in which every parent knows is very upsetting for us too but this amazing little nursery helped him warm up to them very quickly and he is so excited to go which is amazing !! The staff are lovely and take time to actually talk and play with the children. So if your little ones are quite timid etc this nursery is perfect !
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Hollie Kirk
a year ago
This nursery is amazing; the staff are kind and helpful and they care for each and every child for whatever they need. There is nothing but positive things to say about this nursery and my daughter has flourished since being here. Would highly recommend
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Jobe Arnold
a year ago
My son really enjoys his days at “school” here. The staff are brilliant with him and he’s always so happy to see them and we’re always treated to the new songs he’s learnt! Very happy for him to continue here next year
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: July 2019
- January 2025Good
- July 2019Good
Frequently asked about Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley
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