Buckden Preschool Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in St. Neots for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2023. Open since 1992, with 24 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Cambridgeshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Cambridgeshire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
PE19 5UYWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 23 February 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are excited to arrive at this friendly pre-school. They greet staff enthusiastically and are quick to join their friends and investigate the engaging activities staff skilfully plan. Children enjoy a variety of exciting learning opportunities in the pre-school building and in the extensive community outdoor area. For example, children have access to age-appropriate play equipment to support their physical development. They explore the local lake and nature trail, where they develop a deep appreciation and understanding of the unique environment they live in.
Children demonstrate incredibly high levels of independence. This is supported particularly well during highly sociable meal and snack times. Children cooperate well, voting for the foods they will eat, and organising where they will sit. They lay out cups, bowls, and cutlery before helping themselves to cereal and fruit, and pouring their own drinks. Once they have finished, children help staff to clear away, wiping tables and sweeping up crumbs.
Children and staff engage exceptionally well with their local community. Children enjoy a rich set of experiences, which enhance their understanding and respect of their environment. For example, children and staff make regular visits to the local shop to choose the snacks they will enjoy. They thank shop staff for the healthy foods that they kindly donate to the pre-school.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- consistently create opportunities to enhance children's learning and development beyond what is intended during planned activities.
- 23 February 2023Good
- 26 April 2022Needs improvement
- 10 July 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Buckden Preschool Playgroup
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.