Overdale Tots Pre-School
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Bedford for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in October 2024. Open since 2007, with 40 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
Funded and non-funded 2, 3 & 4 year olds.
What childcare usually costs in Bedford
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Bedford 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
MK41 8EPWhat 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, 2 October 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are greeted warmly by the friendly and professional staff. They arrive happy and are excited to spend time in this nurturing environment. Staff are sensitive to all children's needs, particularly those who are new to the pre-school.
They offer cuddles and reassurance to help children feel safe and secure. The staff know the children well and provide a range of activities that meet their developmental needs and interests. Children excitedly join in with music and movement sessions, where they sing and move to the music. They learn to listen and follow instructions as they move the coloured scarves in different ways. This supports their physical development and builds on their communication and language skills.
Staff are positive role models. They help children to recognise feelings and emotions. When children occasionally struggle to regulate their behaviour, staff swiftly offer support and guidance. They set out clear and consistent rules and routines, which are shared with parents. This enables children to know what is expected of them. Staff teach children how to take turns and share through daily interactions and planned activities. For example, they practise taking turns to roll the ball to staff during their 'good morning' song. As a result, children are learning the social expectations needed for future learning, and their behaviour is good.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop the organisation of large-group activities to maximise children's learning, engagement and participation n provide a consistent approach to developing children's independence throughout their everyday activities and routines.
- 2 October 2024Good
- 5 November 2018Good
- 1 December 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Overdale Tots Pre-School
- What it costs
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
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
Some of this is above, from the setting or from parents, and it can go out of date. The rest is in no dataset anywhere. Either way it is worth ten minutes on the phone.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- How do you apply my funded hours? 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.