Stamford has a wonderful range of nurseries from the small and homely to big, social hubs for little people. Whether you need full day care or a free afternoon a week, your child will love learning through play at one of the friendly centres below, as Sarah Stirling discovered
ABC Day Nursery
Barholm Road, Tallington, PE9 4RY
Tel: 01778 343111
Numbers: max 9 babies, 16 toddlers and 24 pre-school at any one time
Age: 0-5
Open: 8am – 6pm Mon-Fri
Cost: £3.40/hr
Contact: Tracy Neal, owner
ABC is one of the longest-standing nurseries in the region, and one that proves consistently popular with children, parents and Ofsted inspectors alike. Four years ago Tracy expanded into a purpose built-building on the outskirts of Tallington village, four miles from Stamford. The children enjoy learning through play and have a wonderful outdoor area and fields to play in. Tracy also runs the Railway Children, an out of school and holiday club for school children.
The Ark
Foundry Road, Stamford, PE9 2PP
Tel: 01780 482113
Numbers: max 16 under 2s, 16 toddlers and 24 pre-school at any one time
Age: 0-5
Open: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri
Cost: under 2s £38, toddlers £37, pre-school £35 per day. Morning and afternoon sessions also available
Contact: Jo O’Bryan-Tear, owner/manager
After a very successful year, Stamford’s newest nursery has just celebrated its first anniversary. The nursery is set in a specially-designed Scandinavian log cabin with a bright and homely feel. The nursery has the use of a school playing field and is currently busy developing a wildlife garden under the trees in their own garden. Meals are prepared from local produce, and the children are encouraged to grow fruit and vegetables themselves in the nursery garden.
Casterton Childcare Centre
Ryhall Road, Great Casterton, Stamford, PE9 4AT
Tel: 01780 754780
Numbers: 41 in total
Age Range: 0-5
Open: 7.30am-6pm
Cost: under 2s £28.90, over 2s £26.80 per day. Morning and afternoon sessions also available
Contact: Sue Hall, manager
‘We’ve just had a very good Ofsted report,’ said Sue. ‘And we’ve been asked by the Rutland Children and Young People’s Services to advise other nurseries on our meal-time procedure. The children set their own table, pass things to each other and serve each other, learning social skills. The older children have a snack bar and can help themselves to milk and fruit. We have an open door policy so children can go outside when they like. The day is structured, but children are free to join in or play as they like.’
The Children’s Garden Day Nursery and Montessori Pre-school
Silver Lane, Stamford, PE9 2BT
Tel: 01780 752094
Numbers: max 6 0-18mths, 8-12 toddlers, 16-20 Montessori pre-school at any one time
Age: 0-5
Open: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri
Cost: under 2s £36.90, over 2s £34.15 per day. Morning and afternoon sessions also available
Contact: Christine Abbott, manager
Based right in the centre of town, the nursery’s Montessori approach gives children a practical foundation for formal education. The Children’s Garden has a warm, cosy feel and friendly, caring staff. Amongst other indoor and outdoor activities, toddlers and Montessori pre-schoolers enjoy yoga, cooking, gardening and French. The Children’s Garden has a new tennis coach, and has recently welcomed a new Montessori teacher, Miss Christie, to the family.
Copthill School
Barnack Road, Uffington, Stamford, PE9 3AD
Tel: 01780 757506 www.copthill.com
Numbers: 63 nursery and pre-school
pupils in total
Age: 2-4½
Open: 8.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri – term time only
Cost: 19.75 per morning, 32.40 all day
Contact: Jonathan Teesdale, headmaster
The latest Ofsted report concluded: ‘Copthill School creates an exceptionally warm and welcoming family atmosphere as is its aim.’ As well as enjoying a large range of activities in the nursery itself, the children use the main school for gym, music and ballet. New at Copthill is Forest School: the little ones head into the forest every week for some outdoor learning and, by all accounts, have a wonderful time.
Earlybird Nursery
Stamford Junior School, Kettering Road, Stamford, PE9 2LR
Tel: 01780 484400 www.ses.lincs.sch.uk
Age: 2-4 years
Open: 8am-4pm – Mon-Fri with after school care till 5.45pm – closed August and
2 weeks at Christmas
Cost: £30 per day, £16 morning session, £15 afternoon session
Contact: Miss E M Craig, Head, Stamford Junior School
The extensive facilities of the Junior School, including the Sports Hall and the heated indoor swimming pool, are available to the Nursery children. During term time, the children have the opportunity to swim twice weekly, under the supervision of a qualified swimming instructor. The children regularly cook in the Nursery and enjoy using a wide range of modern equipment providing imaginative, creative, artistic, physical and musical opportunities.
Flying Start Day Nursery and Pre-school
St Michael’s Road, Wittering, PE8 6DW
Tel: 01780 783150
Numbers: max 97 from 0-4
Age: 0-4
Open: 7.30am-6pm as well as morning pre-school sessions, and afternoon toddler sessions – term time only
Cost: under 2s £3.30/hr, 2-3 £2.75/hr, 3-4 £1.98/hr
Contact: Pat Beer, manager
‘We’re a thriving, well-equipped centre,’ Pat said. ‘80% of our children are from airforce families but we are open to all the surrounding villages.’ The centre has recently received a council grant to put up canopies and fences outside the classroom doors, so children can have access to outdoor play at all times. A big portable classroom full of soft play equipment such as ball ponds and crash mats keeps children active even in poor weather.
Happy Days Childcare Centre
60 Queen Street, Stamford, PE9 1QS
Tel: 01780 753578
Numbers: max 9 0-18mths, 11 toddlers, 30 nursery and pre-school
Age: 0-5
Open: 7.30am-6pm Mon-Fri
Cost: £3.20/hr – it is not sessional, parents can choose the hours they require
Contact: Yvonne Richards, manager
Happy Days Childcare Centre was Stamford’s first nursery, and has been open for over 20 years. Happy Days children enjoy a daily trip to a park: their favourite locations are Burghley Park and Rutland Water. The Centre also run a before and after school club, and can take children to school and pick them up at the end of the day.
Keeper’s Cottage Day Nursery
Luffenham Road, Ketton, Stamford, PE9 3UT
Tel: 01780 721880
Numbers: max 21 babies, 39 2-5 years
Age: 0-5
Open: 8am-6pm
Cost: £33-37 /day depending on age. Morning and afternoon sessions also available
Contact: Jo Naylor, nursery manager
Keeper’s Cottage offers a friendly, welcoming homely environment and freshly cooked meals. The nursery is set in a fantastic rural location and offers lots of outdoor space divided into five different outdoor areas for each age group. The nursery employs 18 members of staff.
Manor Farm Pre-School
Manor Farm, Barholm, Stamford, PE9 4RA
Tel: 01778 560887
Age: 2-5
Open: 9am-3pm Mon-Fri – term time only
Cost: POA – a choice of session times to suit you
Contact: Angela Flint, owner
Based on a working farm, in an idyllic rural setting, Manor Farm Pre-School is actually situated in converted stone barns and has excellent facilities with a fantastic walled garden. There is lots of creative play and hands on learning with nine members of qualified staff – and of course lots of animals to see!
Mulberry Bush Childcare and Education Centre
Stamford College, Drift Rd, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1XA
Tel: 01780 755322
Numbers: max 15 under 2s, approx 20 toddlers and approx 30 pre-school at any time
Age: 0-5
Open: 8am-6pm
Cost: under 2s £18.50 per session, toddlers £10.20/3 hr session, pre-school £9.60/3 hr session
Contact: Georgie Brock, centre manager
Offering a full range of childcare provision, Georgie and her team are very flexible when it comes to the number of hours required, and do not work on set sessions (although must be minimum of 3 hours). They also operate a holiday play scheme, and ensure that even in bad weather children can enjoy some fresh air, with their covered outside play area.
Rocking Horse Nursery
85 Rutland Road, Stamford, PE9 1UP
Tel: 01780 757922
Numbers: 48 total
Age: 0-5
Open: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri
Cost: under 2s £3.40/hr, 2-3 years £3.30/hr, pre-school £3.20/hr
Contact: Dee Cowling, nursery manager
The Rocking Horse has been established for 16 years and has a long-standing team of friendly staff. The nursery is praised by parents for the range of creative activities enjoyed by their children, particularly cooking and art. The Rocking Horse has also been noted for its well-planned rooms and for maintaining consistent routines.
Tree Cottage Nursery
Stapleford Park Country House Hotel & Sporting Estate, Stapleford, Nr. Melton Mowbray,
Leicestershire, LE14 2EF
Tel: 01572 787022
Numbers: max 16 children
Age: 6 weeks - 8 yrs
Open: 9am - 5pm Mon-Sat
Cost: £5/hr
Contact: Sarah Cook, manager
A picturesque cottage in the grounds of Stapleford Park has recently been converted into a day nursery. Tree Tops’ five members of staff will make sure your child has a wonderful time in the cottage and grounds while you enjoy the facilities at Stapleford Park. Lifestyle and Full members can take advantage of free childcare every morning.