Muddy Boots 'Snowdrop Cottage'
OutstandingBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Ninfield for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 17:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in February 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 East Sussex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in East Sussex 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
TN33 9EEWhat 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.
- 21 February 2022 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 10 February 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children and their families are at the heart of this unique and exceptional setting.
On arrival, children are welcomed by enthusiastic staff, who encourage learning immediately. Staff place signs on the path suggesting that children 'count down the steps' to Muddy Boots adventures. Children enter eager and excited to see their friends. They settle immediately to explore the wide range of high-quality activities and opportunities that are purposefully planned to spark their curiosity and fire their imagination. Children delight in creating models with 'sticks and peas' outside, remaining intently focused and deeply engaged. They excitedly talk about what they have made, describing their models as like a 'supernova'. They are incredibly motivated and sustain very high levels of concentration.
Children thrive in a language rich environment, tailored to their individual needs, talents, and interests. Staff's interactions with children are outstanding. Children are extremely happy and nurtured in this excellent setting. Children's behaviour and attitudes are exemplary. For example, children immediately go to help their friends and share their toys. At lunchtime, they explain that their friends are 'dairy free' and make sure that their lunch is checked and safe. Children understand about their friends needs and are inclusive and positive about these. For example, they talk about friends who have special educational needs and/or disabilities
- 10 February 2023Outstanding
- 26 September 2022Inadequate
Rated Good or Outstanding at 1 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Muddy Boots 'Snowdrop Cottage'
- 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.