Rhymetime Northampton
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Northampton for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2023. Open since 2009, with 90 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 West Northamptonshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Northamptonshire 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
NN5 4BWWhat 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, 26 September 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children of all ages are confident to make choices in their play and happily explore the engaging environment created by staff. They develop their imagination as they role play alongside staff in areas such as the mud kitchen. Young children practise repeating new vocabulary, such as 'orange carrot', as they use different tools to stir and squash vegetables. They learn how to respect and make safe choices with resources as they practise keeping the sand low when they are digging so it does not get in their friends' eyes. Staff help children to develop their physical skills and encourage them to try things for themselves. They explain to children how best to balance and climb over different obstacles outdoors. Children are extremely excited when they achieve this for the first time.
Children develop close friendships with others. They hold hands as they hunt for the 'bear' around the garden, giggling and repeating phrases staff use about a bear hunt. Children know what staff expect of them during routines of the day and listen carefully to their instructions. They independently wash their hands ready for lunch, wait for everyone to be seated, and help to pass the jug of water to each other. Staff praise children for using manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' when responding to others.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide staff with further support to be able to most effectively fulfil their role as a key person more consistently n further develop staff's skills and knowledge to better support children who speak
English as an additional language - improve the use of information sharing between key people and parents and carers.
- 26 September 2023Good
- 12 April 2018Good
- 6 February 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Rhymetime Northampton
- 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.