The Orchard Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Bournemouth for children from birth to 5, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in August 2022. Open since 2015, with 53 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BH11 9EHWhat 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.
- 9 July 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 10 June 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 15 August 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children flourish in this nursery. All children, including those with additional needs, are making exceptional progress in their learning. Children's behaviour is exemplary and the most able children help other children to understand the boundaries and expectations. For example, children remind each other to stand back to allow everyone to participate in the bug hunt.
Children show high levels of confidence and the older ones in particular lead their own learning. Management and staff have high expectations of what they want the children to achieve. Consequently, children leave the nursery well prepared for their next stage in their learning or the move on to school. Children build very secure relationships with staff and children. They show great excitement when they go outside and enjoy a multi-sport session. This enables them to gain confidence and new skills.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff worked closely with parents. Staff maintain highly effective relationships and regularly check with parents to see how they feel their child is progressing. For example, staff have created a sensory room and speech and language groups to support children in their personal, social and emotional development and their communication and language skills. Parents comment that staff know their children exceptionally well and that nursery staff go over and above for their children.
- 15 August 2022Outstanding
- 30 March 2016Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Orchard 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.