Once Upon A Time Day Nursery
Good★ 4.3 on GoogleBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Bristol for children from birth to 5, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2025. Open since 1999, with 30 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BS9 3TPWhat 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, 6 February 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children's individual needs and interests are at the heart of the curriculum that staff provide. Staff build effective relationships with parents from the start. They gather information about children, such as their preferences and communication styles. This supports a tailored and successful settling-in process for children when they join. Parents appreciate the good communication from staff and how they mirror care routines that babies have at home. Children form strong bonds with staff. They are safe, happy and motivated to learn. The curriculum that staff provide builds on children's individual starting points. Staff help younger children to develop their listening and attention skills. They skilfully engage their attention during group activities. Children enthusiastically count to 10 and show excitement when the pretend alien 'blasts off to space'. Staff teach older children about new concepts, for example the passing of time when using the sand timers and how ice is formed. Staff help parents to support children's learning at home. They lend books to parents to promote children's literacy skills.
Children form good friendships with their peers and play well together. Staff support children to take turns and respect each other's play space. Children demonstrate kindness and teamwork, for example helping each other to move boxes of toys. Staff teach children about healthy practices. They talk to children about the effects of food and water on their bodies.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- review the organisation of mealtimes to reduce waiting times for children and help them remain focused and engaged in their learning.
- 6 February 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 3 May 2019Good
- 24 May 2017Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Once Upon A Time Day Nursery
- 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.