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Unicorn Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2023)
·
4.4(7 parent reviews) ·Day Care Centre, Leeds Road, CASTLEFORD, WF10 5HA · Wakefield
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2023
Local authority
Wakefield

About this day nursery

Unicorn Nursery in Castleford, WF10 5HA, offers childcare services for babies, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. The nursery is situated in Old School Court and provides various session options, including full days and half days.

They are committed to transparency in their fee structure, and parents can easily access information regarding pricing. The nursery also actively supports government-funded childcare initiatives, ensuring that eligible families can benefit from schemes that help cover childcare costs.

They pride themselves on offering a nurturing environment where children can learn and grow. Parents are encouraged to book a show round to experience the nursery firsthand or register their child online.

Enquiries are welcome, and the nursery maintains an open communication policy, addressing any questions or concerns parents may have. Detailed information about their policies, including privacy and cookies, and terms and conditions, is readily available on their website.

What it's like

Children settle quickly and play happily in this nursery, establishing close relationships with their key person. Staff have high expectations and skilfully help children succeed as they play and try new activities, supporting their emotional security and physical development. Children are encouraged to be considerate of each other, learning to play cooperatively and manage their emotions.

Government-funded childcareFull and half day sessionsBabies, toddlers, and preschool children

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around full day and half day sessions. No additional charges are made for meals or consumables for children using funded hours, and bank holidays are not charged.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • No charge for bank holidays, even if they fall on a contracted day.
  • No additional charges for meals or consumables for children using funded hours.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, all year round

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Unicorn Nursery

Last inspected 4 December 2023 · Janet Fairhurst

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 play happily in this nursery, establishing close relationships with their key person. Staff have high expectations and skilfully help children succeed as they play and try new activities, supporting their emotional security and physical development. Children are encouraged to be considerate of each other, learning to play cooperatively and manage their emotions.

Inspector highlights

  • The nursery has been through a period of significant change and the progress made by the new leadership team is commendable.
  • Leaders have worked with the local authority to seek advice on how best to support them, with a strong emphasis on curriculum development.
  • Children's communication and language skills are a priority, with staff speaking clearly and exposing babies to lots of language.
  • The manager provides a range of training and professional development opportunities to the staff team, helping them to develop their knowledge and skills.
  • Parents praise the staff team and comment on how much their children enjoy attending, noticing a huge improvement in their children's speech and confidence.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure that staff are more alert and responsive to all children during their self- chosen play, so that they benefit fully from what is on offer
  • 2help staff develop teaching strategies to ensure that less confident children can share their ideas during activities.
Inspection #10308887 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents praise the staff team and comment on how much their children enjoy attending.

They comment that they have noticed a huge improvement in their children's speech and confidence.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

There are systems in place to identify children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. If children struggle, extra support is put in place, ranging from working with external agencies, such as speech and language therapists, to staff providing one-to-one support. Staff support these children well, so that they can take part in all activities.

Parent Reviews of Unicorn Nursery

4.4
(7)
nicole smee
8 months ago

The nursery and staff are fantastic! Kirsty the manger went above and beyond to get my son in full time after experiencing a really bad time at another nursery, the staff were patient and kind when my son was struggling to settle in the first few weeks, the set up is perfect for little ones, the facilities and equipment is second to none compared to other nurseries there so much for the kids to do the staff go out of there way to bring in themed activities, the food is fantastic and cooked by there chef sue who is a huge part of the nursery, all the staff know all the kids and my son had the best time there, he’s now started school and settled fantastic and it’s all down to the time the staff spend talking and helping the children prepare for such a huge move- I can’t thank the staff enough and can’t praise the whole nursery enough- I highly recommend unicorns, thank you all xx

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Samuel Maran
a year ago

Unfortunately we have been refused to have our daughter into their nursery. The reasons were not honest and transparent but they were hiding their real motives behind "insufficient" history of the child. Such a shame, since our initial visit to the nursery was really positive and we liked what we've seen and agreed on everything, until a phonecall a few days later stating the above refusal.

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L Pollard
a year ago

I can not recommend this nursery enough. My daugther has been going to unicorn nursery for the last 4 years and today was her last day. I can’t thank the staff enough for everything they have done. The care and support the staff have given over the years have prepared her and provided the skills needed for starting school. Sending her to this nursery was one of the best decisions I had made. Thank you to all the staff, you have a great nursery

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Laura Crabtree
a year ago

Whilst writing this I’m emotional my daughter started here at 2 1/2 years old and she’s just had her graduation the staff go above and beyond and my daughter has come on leaps and bounds from writing her name to helping her transition to school and that is down to the staff Kirsty the manager is so lovely and easy to talk to especially being a first time mum she has made so many friends and talks about her teachers all the time at home we as a family will truly miss unicorn nursery.

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Alan Wells (Wellsy)
3 years ago

Overall a good place for little ones, both but kids went here

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Unicorn Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023

Date: July 2022

  • December 2023Good
  • August 2023Inadequate
  • December 2022Requires improvement
  • July 2022Inadequate

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more