Hardwicke Early Years
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Gloucester for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. Open since 2020, 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 Gloucestershire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Gloucestershire 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
GL2 4QGWhat 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, 10 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff greet children warmly as they arrive. They provide clear routines throughout the day, which enables children to feel secure and settle quickly.
The manager and her staff have recently adapted how they use the environment.
They have developed this to ensure children benefit from all aspects of the curriculum in a purposeful and calm way. Children are focused within their selfchosen activities. They explore mark making with a range of tools, construct with connecting squares to create inventive items, enjoy dressing up with friends and share stories with adults. In the afternoon, they enjoy the space and freedom provided by the larger school field. Children run and chase after bubbles as they enjoy a sunny day. They are confident in their interactions with staff and each other.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the planning of activities so that they consistently align with children's next steps and offer sufficient challenge for new learning.
- 10 May 2023Good
- 7 December 2022Inadequate
Rated Good or Outstanding at 1 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hardwicke Early Years
- 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.