Business Details
31 Years
experience
OFSTED-Registered Childcare Services in Swindon
Established in 1995, Poplars Nursery is a privately owned childcare provider serving families in Swindon and surrounding areas. Our 3-acre rural site offers purpose-built facilities including dedicated age-specific rooms, an outdoor classroom, and extensive play areas with woodland exploration zones. We maintain a 1:3 staff-to-child ratio in baby units and 1:8 in pre-school, with all staff holding minimum NVQ Level 3 qualifications. Our curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework while incorporating child-led learning and forest school principles. We provide freshly prepared meals with vegetarian options and accommodate special dietary requirements.The nursery operates under strict OFSTED compliance, exceeding national standards through continuous staff development and individualised learning journals. Our key-person system ensures consistent care, while regular parent consultations and observation records track developmental milestones. We offer flexible session options including full-day care, school pick-ups, and holiday clubs for children aged 3 months to 14 years. Our facilities include dedicated sleep areas, hygiene stations, and outdoor adventure trails with climbing equipment. We maintain comprehensive safeguarding protocols and hold current first aid and food hygiene certifications for all staff.
Services
Daycare Nursery
Pre-School Education
Holiday Club
OFSTED Inspections
Forest School Sessions
Meal Provision
Special Needs Support
Parent Consultations
Flexible Sessions
Outdoor Learning
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- 50+ qualified staff with minimum NVQ Level 3 childcare qualifications
- OFSTED-registered exceeding national education standards
- 1:3 staff-to-child ratio in baby units with dedicated sleep areas
- 3-acre site featuring woodland exploration zones and adventure trails
- Freshly prepared meals accommodating vegetarian and special diets
Associations and certifications
- OFSTED
Services
Daycare Nursery
We provide comprehensive daycare services for children aged 3 months to 5 years across dedicated nursery units. Our facilities maintain strict staff-to-child ratios (1:3 for babies, 1:8 for pre-school) with qualified NVQ Level 3+ staff. Each unit features age-appropriate learning resources, sleep areas, and hygiene facilities. Daily records track feeding, sleeping, and developmental milestones while our key-person system ensures consistent care. Outdoor play areas include adventure trails and structured physical activities.
Holiday Club
Our action-packed holiday club operates during school breaks for children aged 5-14 years. Qualified staff deliver themed activity weeks including circus skills, sports, dance, and martial arts. Sessions run from 7:30am to 6:30pm with flexible booking options. The program combines structured workshops with free play in our extensive outdoor facilities featuring climbing equipment and cycle tracks. We also offer school pick-up services from local primary schools.
Forest School Sessions
We offer forest school sessions within our 3-acre grounds featuring woodland exploration areas. Trained staff lead nature-based activities including bug hunts, tree climbing, and den building. The woodland playhouse and fire pit support experiential learning while developing physical coordination and environmental awareness. These sessions complement indoor learning through hands-on natural experiences that align with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements.
Government-Funded Childcare
We accept OFSTED-registered government childcare funding for eligible families. This includes 15-30 hours weekly entitlement for 3-4 year olds and targeted support for 2-year-olds. Our staff assist parents with funding applications through the Childcare Choices scheme. Tax-Free Childcare vouchers and other financial support options are available to qualifying families, with clear guidance provided during enrollment.
Special Educational Needs Support
Our nursery provides tailored support for children with special educational needs through individual learning journals and observation records. Qualified SENCOs work with parents and external specialists to create personalised development plans. We maintain smaller group ratios for children requiring additional support while integrating them into mainstream activities where appropriate. Regular progress reviews ensure each child reaches their full potential.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children from 3 months to 14 years across dedicated nursery units and holiday clubs.
Are meals included in childcare fees?
Yes, we provide freshly prepared breakfast, snacks, and lunches with vegetarian options included in standard fees.
Do you offer flexible childcare hours?
We offer full-day, morning, afternoon, and school-day sessions with optional after-school pick-up services.
Is your nursery OFSTED registered?
Yes, we are fully OFSTED-registered and regularly inspected to ensure we exceed national childcare standards.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our 3-acre grounds feature woodland exploration areas, adventure trails, cycle tracks, climbing equipment, and outdoor classrooms.
Do you accept government childcare funding?
Yes, we accept 2-year-old funding and 15-30 hours weekly entitlement for 3-4 year olds through official schemes.
Reviews (1)
Ed Butcher
Dec 04, 2018
Report
These guys have been amazing with my little boy. After researching lots of nurseries in the area we stumbled on Poplars and I'm really glad. Both mum and baby found the first few days challenging but the staff were brilliant at helping him to settle whilst keeping us in the loop. Now a few weeks in and he gets upset at coming home instead! All the staff have been great and we look forward to continuing to use the nursery as our son grows.
