Ducklings Opportunity Group
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Stoke-On-Trent for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in September 2025. Open since 2009, with 20 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 Stoke-on-Trent
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Stoke-on-Trent 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
ST3 7DYWhat 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, 5 September 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
From the moment children arrive, they are warmly welcomed by friendly staff. They are supported to hang up their belongings, with gentle encouragement to do as much as they can independently. This gives children a sense of pride and confidence while knowing help is always available if needed. Staff know each child well and pay close attention to their individual needs, which helps children settle quickly and form secure, trusting relationships with the nurturing staff.
Children spend time outdoors each day, enjoying the space and freedom to be active. They build strength and coordination as they climb the slide and whizz down with excitement. Curiosity about nature is encouraged as they search for butterflies, using binoculars to spot where they might fly. Children have fun using their imagination as they pretend to serve ice cream in the playhouse. They excitedly call out, 'Who wants to buy an ice cream?' They giggle with delight when staff join in their play, encouraging children to share their ideas.
Children enjoy opportunities for mark making and creative play, both indoors and outdoors. They draw pictures, proudly showing staff their creations. They have fun as they use play dough, which they roll, squeeze and shape, strengthening the small muscles in their hands and supporting the control needed for early writing skills.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide staff with additional coaching and targeted support to help develop consistency and raise the overall quality of practice across the team to an even higher level n continue to enhance daily routines, particularly during transitions, to ensure children's learning and engagement are maintained.
- 5 September 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 26 February 2020Good
- 25 September 2014Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Ducklings Opportunity Group
- 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.