Buttercup Pre School
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Scarborough for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2002, with 27 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 North Yorkshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in North Yorkshire 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
YO11 3NNWhat 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, 3 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff create extremely strong bonds with children. They know and are sensitive to each child's individual emotional needs and well-being. All children, including those who may be shy or reserved, are highly confident and flourish. Children are highly motivated learners and demonstrate excitement in what they are learning. For example, when a snail that the children have found in the garden escapes up the pre-school wall children laugh in amazement at how far it has travelled. Staff are an excellent role model for children to learn from. They consistently teach children about the impact of their behaviour and have high expectations of them. All children are keen to help others, understand the rules and routines and instinctively follow them. For instance, when a child is upset, children voluntarily apologise and check that the child is ok without prompts from staff. This helps children to feel safe and secure.
Staff plan an ambitious curriculum for children. This is sequenced to help them acquire the skills and knowledge needed before they start school and develop a wonderful understanding of the world around them. Staff deliver intentional and exceptional teaching that links to children's individual needs. For example, at snack and mealtimes staff discuss ingredients in their food. Children explain that they do not share their food in case of allergies, and it makes other children poorly. Staff create a positive, friendly atmosphere where enjoyment and meaningful learning are key.
- 3 June 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 8 July 2019Good
- 23 June 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Buttercup Pre School
- 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.