Poppy's Children's Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Stowmarket for children from birth to 8+, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 December 2023. Open since 2004, with 26 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
IP14 1NGWhat 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, 14 December 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
There is a buzz of excitement from the children as they enter this highly stimulating and nurturing nursery. Children are warmly welcomed by caring staff who form positive relationships with them, which helps them develop a sense of belonging at the nursery. As a result, children feel happy and safe and are keen to explore the inviting environment. Teaching is consistent and tailored to children's individual needs and stages of development. During singing time, staff support babies to sign the words of the song they are singing. Babies show great delight as they wiggle and move their bodies as they sing. Staff incorporate children's real-life experiences into role play, such as going to see the doctor. Older children take on the role of being a doctor and pretend to listen to their friend's heartbeat using a stethoscope.
Staff talk about how hearts beat faster when exercising. Children laugh and giggle as they jump up and down and tell staff 'My heart is going fast'.
Staff motivate children to be active learners. Children become curious and make discoveries in their play. For example, as they put the soft sponge ball in the water they tell staff, 'It's heavy'. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations about why the ball is heavy. They say, 'It's got water in it'. Children are respectful and polite. Staff praise children for their good behaviour. This helps to promote children's confidence and self-esteem.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen communication links between the staff and manager to underpin the smooth running of the nursery at all times.
- 14 December 2023Good
- 5 April 2018Good
- 27 October 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Poppy's Children's 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.