Pillowell Early Years Group
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Nr Lydney 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2021, though that is 5 years ago now. Open since 1994, with 15 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
GL15 4QTWhat 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, 24 September 2021 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children have fun at this warm and nurturing setting. They make early friendships with each other and develop strong bonds with the kind staff. Children focus well, as they take part in small group activities that staff plan carefully to support their interests. For example, as children make bird feeders, staff encourage them to talk about how the seed feels and smells. Children use mathematical language as they count the scoops of bird seed into their bowl.
Children benefit from regular exercise and outdoor play. They have access to a woodland area, where they have hands-on opportunities to explore nature and develop their physical skills. Children learn to take risks, as they balance and jump across a tyre trail. Younger children display a can-do attitude and hold onto a staff member's hand as they jump from tyre to tyre. Children are proud of themselves and excitedly shout out 'I did it!'.
During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the setting adapted routines to ensure individuals remained safe and well when in attendance. During settling-in periods, parents were invited to stay and play outside, instead of coming into the building. This prioritised everyone's safety, while ensuring children received the support they needed for their emotional well-being.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and
Childcare Register the provider must: ensure Ofsted is provided with the necessary information to carry out suitability checks on all committee members. (by 08/10/2021)
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to better recognise and make more effective use of spontaneous opportunities to extend and challenge children's learning further n provide children with further time and support to discuss their ideas and make informed and fair decisions.
- 24 September 2021Good
- 13 April 2016Good
- 1 June 2015Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Pillowell Early Years Group
- 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.