Holbrook and District Pre-school Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Ipswich 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 June 2025. Open since 1977, 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 Suffolk
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Suffolk 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
IP9 2PZWhat 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, 16 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
There has been a recent and rapid change in the management of the setting.
However, despite this transition, the setting demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining stability and ensuring the well-being of the children in its care. Staff have adapted to the changes effectively, focusing on providing consistency and support for the children during this period.
On arrival, children enter the setting confidently, readily separating from their parents at the door. They clearly understand the familiar routines, such as independently placing their water bottles at the hydration station. When they hear a familiar song, children recognise this as the start of group time, where each child is welcomed by name. These consistent routines help children feel secure and support their sense of belonging within the setting. As a result, children settle quickly, understand what is expected of them and show positive behaviour, cooperating well with staff and peers.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- consider how to ensure that the curriculum consistently offers enough challenge for the most able children, so it builds on what they already know and can do n ensure that staff receive timely and targeted training to develop the skills and knowledge that are needed to monitor and assess children's progress accurately.
- 16 June 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 15 July 2024Needs improvement
- 15 November 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Holbrook and District Pre-school 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.