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Wigwams Nursery

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Apr 2025)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews)
·Whitton Church Lane, Ipswich, IP1 6LW · Suffolk
Number of places
110 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2025
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Wigwams Nursery, an integral part of the Bows & Arrows Group, is situated in northern Ipswich within the expansive grounds of Whitton Sports & Community Centre. This two-storey facility houses a dedicated pre-school room on the ground floor, with separate baby and toddler rooms located on the first floor. The nursery is renowned for its long-standing, experienced, and diverse team of educators, and has consistently achieved an Outstanding rating from Ofsted three consecutive times, a testament to its unwavering commitment to exceptional care and education.

As a UNICEF Rights Respecting setting, Wigwams Nursery fosters an environment where children are educated about their rights and responsibilities, promoting mutual respect and upholding these principles. This approach strongly supports children's personal, social, and emotional development, ensuring they feel secure, valued, respected, and heard, which in turn encourages enjoyment, achievement, and learning. The nursery champions play as the fundamental mode of learning, allocating significant time for uninterrupted play throughout the day, empowering children to choose their activities and play areas. Meal and snack times are flexible, allowing children to eat when they prefer and take their time.

With a strong emphasis on outdoor play, children spend substantial time outdoors, benefiting from a large, enclosed field adjacent to the sports centre for physical development. Babies also enjoy the fresh air during sleep. The nursery is dedicated to collaborative partnerships with parents, with the manager readily available to address any concerns, ensuring both children and families are content. The nursery also offers provision for children with additional needs, and parents can access detailed policies on health and safety, along with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

Our ethos

Wigwams Nursery is a UNICEF Rights Respecting setting that educates children about their rights and responsibilities, promoting mutual respect. They champion play as the fundamental mode of learning, allowing children to choose activities and play areas, and emphasise outdoor play for physical development. Their approach ensures children feel secure, valued, respected, and heard, encouraging enjoyment, achievement, and learning.

What it's like

Staff are passionate and child-centric, ensuring children have the best start in life. They provide an ambitious curriculum tailored to individual needs, focusing on mental well-being and independence. The provision fosters remarkable compassion and respect among children.

Ofsted OutstandingUNICEF Rights Respecting SettingEmphasis on outdoor playFlexible sessionsNot-for-profit organisation

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around a flat hourly rate for all age groups. Additional provisions are invoiced monthly on top of standard fees. A deposit is required for younger children, and administration charges apply for changes to scheduled sessions.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Invoices for additional provisions are sent on a monthly basis.
  • Late collection fees are charged per instance plus hourly rates in 30-minute blocks.
  • An admin fee is charged for each change made to your ongoing booking pattern.
  • A deposit is required for children under two years old.

Key facts

Opening hours

Early: 8.00am-9.00am (1 hour), Morning: 9.00am-1.00pm (4 hours), Afternoon: 1.00pm-5.00pm (4 hours), Late: 5.00pm-6.00pm (1 hour)

Session types

All Year Round (50 weeks), Traditional Term Time (38 weeks), Stretch Term Time (46 weeks)

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2009

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Wigwams Nursery

Last inspected 30 April 2025 · Laura Paternoster

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

What it's like to attend

Staff are passionate and child-centric, ensuring children have the best start in life. They provide an ambitious curriculum tailored to individual needs, focusing on mental well-being and independence. The provision fosters remarkable compassion and respect among children.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are central to everything the provision does, with families actively involved, for example, attending forest school sessions.
  • The curriculum is ambitious and supports individual needs, especially for children with SEND, and focuses on mental well-being through quiet spaces and sensory areas.
  • Children are extremely independent, making their own decisions about eating and sleeping, and recognise the importance of physical and mental well-being.
  • Leaders are passionate about the curriculum, motivating staff, who feel valued and supported through regular appraisals and training, ensuring an outstanding quality of education.
  • Children with SEND are fully supported with key persons engaging regularly with parents and multi-agency professionals, and staff share Makaton sign language with parents.
Inspection #10392186 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

They exclaim they wish they had found it earlier.

Parents feel their children are settled and safe when attending.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff ensure the curriculum is ambitious and supports the individual needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children with SEND are supported fully with key persons engaging regularly with parents and multi-agency professionals, such as speech therapists, to share ambitious targets and outcomes for children. Staff work to share Makaton sign language with parents so children's communication development is supported at home.

Outdoor space

Staff place a big emphasis on being active indoors and out. Children visit local fields to climb and roll down hills, explore climbing frames inside and jump off cushions and beanbags onto safety mats. Staff recognise the importance of regular access to outdoor opportunities for all children, giving them well-rounded experiences that they might not otherwise have.

Parent Reviews of Wigwams Nursery

5.0
(2)
Ty Kidd
11 months ago

Our Granddaughters, just love going here, and talk about the day that they're gone.

Read on Google

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

Inspection history

Date: November 2009

  • April 2025Outstanding
  • August 2019Outstanding
  • July 2013Outstanding
  • November 2009Outstanding

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