The Faraway Tree Day Nursery
Good★ 5.0 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Derby for children from birth to 8+, open 07:00 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 July 2022. Open since 2015, with 38 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 Derby
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Derby 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
DE22 3HQWhat 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 July 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children confidently wave goodbye to their parents as they walk in through the main entrance. Staff greet them warmly and welcome them into this small and friendly nursery. Children hang up their coats and bags, and take off their shoes independently, showing a good sense of belonging. Children show eagerness to come into the playroom to see what interesting activities are on offer. They are motivated to learn. Babies have close relationships with the adults who care for them. They sit comfortably with staff, and together enjoy a familiar story. The babies are confident to turn the pages and make noises, pointing at the pictures.
This supports children's emotional development, and helps them to feel safe and secure.
Children follow staff's instructions and respond to picture routine cards. This helps all children, including those who speak English as an additional language, understand what is happening next and what they have to do to get ready, such as tidying up. Even the youngest children show a good understanding of the routine as they safely carry the circle shaped mats for 'circle time' and sit on them, in readiness for what is happening next. Older children help set up for lunch, counting the children and ensuring they have enough cutlery for everyone. Children confidently say that they need 'one more', and think about the number when another child arrives. Children's physical skills are well developed as they run, balance, and climb on the outdoor equipment with ease. They make good progress in readiness for their next stage, including their move to school.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide more opportunities for children to use the new vocabulary they have learnt n strengthen staff practice in supporting child-led activities, so that children can take the lead and explore in their own way.
- 26 July 2022Good
- 10 August 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Faraway Tree 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.