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Tom Thumb Nursery: The Willows

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2025)
·
5.0(20 parent reviews) ·Tom Thumb Nursery, 30-32 Newlands Avenue, KINGS LYNN, PE30 2NJ · Norfolk
Number of places
74 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2025
Local authority
Norfolk

About this day nursery

Tom Thumb Nursery: The Willows, established in 2017, offers term-time childcare for children aged 2-4 years, operating from 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Rated as 'Good' by Ofsted in its latest inspection on 26 February 2025 across all areas including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, the nursery provides a nurturing environment where children behave very well, showcasing excellent understanding of rules and cooperating with peers.

The dedicated staff team implements a curriculum thoughtfully focused on the children's needs, offering engaging learning opportunities using props to foster concentration and understanding, particularly during story time. Children exhibit strong independence, helping themselves and others, which cultivates a sense of pride and belonging within the setting.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), clear targets are set, with staff working to ensure good progress and welcoming other professionals to enhance learning. Recognising the importance of outdoor play, the nursery provides a well-resourced outdoor area to develop gross motor skills and strength.

Additionally, children learning English as an additional language receive support through daily opportunities to learn new words and one-to-one sessions, while Makaton is taught throughout the setting to further aid communication and well-being.

What it's like

Children behave very well, demonstrating excellent understanding of rules and cooperating with peers. They show strong independence, dressing themselves and helping others, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. Staff provide engaging learning opportunities, using props and interacting effectively to support high levels of engagement and concentration.

Behave very wellExcellent independenceExciting learning opportunitiesFocused curriculumSupport for SENDWell-resourced outdoor play

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

8.30am until 4pm Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Tom Thumb Nursery: The Willows

Last inspected 26 February 2025

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 behave very well, demonstrating excellent understanding of rules and cooperating with peers. They show strong independence, dressing themselves and helping others, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. Staff provide engaging learning opportunities, using props and interacting effectively to support high levels of engagement and concentration.

Inspector highlights

  • Children behave very well and cooperate together, sharing resources and inviting peers to join their play.
  • Children demonstrate excellent levels of independence.
  • Staff provide exciting learning opportunities and use props to help children focus and develop their understanding of stories.
  • The management team has implemented a curriculum that is focused on the needs of the children at the setting.
  • Key persons know their children very well and plan learning opportunities to support their continued development.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen communication strategies to help parents engage fully in their children's learning and continued development.
Inspection #10368638 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have clear targets, and staff work with children to help them make good progress. The setting welcomes other professionals to support children's learning and development even further.

Outdoor space

Team members recognise that many children do not have much access to the outdoors, so they provide a well-resourced outdoor play area where children can develop their gross motor skills and strength.

Parent Reviews of Tom Thumb Nursery: The Willows

5.0
(20)
irina raluca
2 years ago

This is the best nursery in Kings Lynn! I definitely recommend it to all parents who are looking for a place where they can leave their child in the best hands possible! My both children felt very loved, confident and happy to be there! All the staff is professional but kind and caring too! A very big THANK YOU to all staff from Tom Thumb Nursery for taking such a good care of our children, for being there for them when us, parents, were at work, for getting them ready for school , for all your patience, support and education given to the little ones! You are ALL the BEST! Keep up the good work!

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Kirsty Bird
a year ago

The best nursery around! I’m 29 this year and I went to Tom Thumb as a little one and now my little boy goes here too! Jayne was my biggest role model as a child and my little boy idolises her just the same as I did! Every single nursery worker is amazing! And my little boy has so much love for them all and doesn’t stop talking about them all. The best team that have the best impact on our little ones lives! Currently pregnant with another crazy little boy that will eventually go here too! The best team of amazing ladies! Who deserve so much thanks! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Chelsie Jordan
2 years ago

My little boy has been attending Tom Thumb the willows since he was 2 and he is leaving in a couple of weeks! He has grown and learnt so much. I can’t thank the staff enough. Their knowledge of the EYFS is outstanding, the time and effort they put into the children’s learning is above and beyond. They safeguard children as if they are their own and I honestly wouldn’t have wanted my boy to go anywhere else. I have so much to thank you for and will forever be grateful. If you want you child to flourish, learn and thrive then this is the place.

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donna marshall
a year ago

My son started in jan 2023 and wasn't really talkative or really active. But since he has really come on perfectly now can hold conversations and got such a bubbly personality. I'm glad I've chosen this nursery. The ladies are super friendly and approachable. I highly recommend this nursery for any child.

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bobby-jo self
a year ago

Tom Thumb Nursery is outstanding! They go above and beyond to teach all children that attend and prepare them for school! 4 out of 5 of my children have gone to this nursery and my baby will follow when the time comes because i wouldn’t send him anywhere else the whole Team are fantastic

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Inspection history

Date: March 2019

  • February 2025Good
  • March 2019Good

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