Business Details
19 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Norwich
Established in 2007 by Julie and John Banbury, we are a family-owned and managed childcare provider with three nursery schools in Norwich. Our mission is to create a nurturing, imaginative environment where children thrive through play-based learning. With two settings rated 'Outstanding' and one 'Good' by Ofsted, we prioritise safety, individualised development, and parental collaboration. Our team of qualified professionals delivers tailored activities aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, fostering independence, communication, and emotional growth.We utilise innovative tools like Tapestry to track progress and maintain transparency with families. Committed to exceeding standards, we hold the Millies Mark accreditation for paediatric first aid excellence and continuously invest in resources to enrich children's experiences.
Services
Early Years Education
Outdoor Play Activities
Nutritious Meals
Parent Partnerships
Online Learning Journals
Paediatric First Aid
Special Educational Needs Support
Tax Free Childcare
Flexible Attendance
Transition Support
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 2007 with 17+ years of local childcare expertise
- Three Ofsted-registered nurseries, two rated 'Outstanding'
- Paediatric first aid trained staff with Millies Mark accreditation
- Personalised learning journeys tracked via Tapestry digital platform
- Nutritious home-cooked meals catering to dietary requirements
Associations and certifications
- Millies Mark
What people say
Outstanding care
Creative learning
Qualified staff
Visible progress
Safe environment
Services
Early Years Education
Our play-based curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, promoting cognitive, social, and physical development through structured activities and free play. Qualified practitioners design age-appropriate experiences that nurture creativity, literacy, and numeracy skills while encouraging independence and emotional intelligence in a safe, stimulating environment.
Outdoor Learning
Daily outdoor activities utilise natural environments to enhance sensory development and physical coordination. Children engage in gardening, weather observation, and exploratory play across secure, age-specific gardens with covered areas for all-weather access, fostering environmental awareness and risk-assessment skills through hands-on discovery.
Parent Engagement
We maintain open communication through Tapestry digital journals, regular progress updates, and collaborative planning sessions. Parents receive daily activity logs, developmental milestones tracking, and home-connection resources to reinforce learning, ensuring consistent support between nursery and family environments for holistic child development.
Special Educational Needs
Our SENCO-accredited staff implement individualised support plans for children with additional needs, working alongside external specialists when required. Adapted resources, sensory spaces, and small-group activities ensure equal participation opportunities while maintaining compliance with Equality Act standards and promoting social integration across all nursery settings.
Nutrition & Meals
Nutritionist-approved menus provide balanced breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared fresh daily by onsite cooks. Allergies and dietary restrictions are accommodated through alternative ingredient preparation, with transparent ingredient lists provided to parents, ensuring children receive essential nutrients to support growth and learning readiness.
People
Julie Banbury
Director of Care and Education
BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, founded Once upon a time in 2007 after managing Sprowston Nursery Playgroup for 10 years. Oversees educational standards across all settings while championing storytelling and literacy in early years development.
John Banbury
Director of Finance and Marketing
Former Virgin Money marketing director with 25+ years corporate experience, manages business operations and compliance. Ensures financial sustainability while maintaining focus on quality childcare provision and staff welfare.
Georgia Brooks
Director of HR and Training
Joined in 2020 after 10 years in retail management at M&S and Majestic Wine. Holds BSc in Psychology and Early Years Studies, oversees staff development and recruitment, combining retail excellence principles with childcare expertise.
Becky Potter
Nursery Manager Wroxham Road
BA (Hons) in Integrated Working with Children, leads the 'Outstanding'-rated Wroxham Road setting. Specialises in creating stimulating learning environments, with prior experience managing preschools and implementing Ofsted-compliant educational frameworks.
Beth Haywood
Nursery Manager Constitution Hill
Early Years Teacher with First-Class BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies, progressed from room manager to director roles. Focuses on staff development and maintaining high educational standards through continuous professional training programs.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We care for children from 9 months to 5 years old across our three nursery settings.
Are meals included in the fees?
Nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks are included at additional cost, with dietary requirements accommodated.
How do you track child development?
We use the Tapestry online learning journal to document progress and share updates with parents daily.
What safety accreditations do you hold?
All staff hold paediatric first aid qualifications, and we maintain the Millies Mark accreditation for child safety excellence.
Do you offer government-funded hours?
Yes, we accept 15-30 hours of government funding for eligible children aged 2-5 years.
Reviews (3)
Chelsea Carter
May 28, 2018
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Super pleased how well Noah has settled in, staff are all very friendly. I put my son on list for Easter 2019, but I had a change in job and needed bring it forward a year giving 4 weeks until I needed childcare and I felt massive effort was put in to help me out. Can't fault them at all!
Carly Felstead
Sep 09, 2017
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My son has just left in July he started January 2016 and has an amazing time at Cecil gowing Once upon a time. His key worker was Anna and she is lovely . Kind helpful and really caring towards my son. All he has done is talk about her from the first time they met. He likes to include her in everything even when we draw pictures or make cakes he wants to give Anna one and adds her to our pictures.
She has made such an impact on his life and he actually feels like she part ofhis family All staff are lovely and very approachable, he really loved Debbie too but she recently moved to the White House
She has made such an impact on his life and he actually feels like she part ofhis family All staff are lovely and very approachable, he really loved Debbie too but she recently moved to the White House
Anne Kittle
Jul 08, 2015
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An amazing place that gave my children the best start in life. Cannot recommend the staff & nursery high enough.
