Business Details
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Fenstanton
At Ladybird Day Nursery, we are committed to providing a nurturing, home-from-home environment where children thrive through play, exploration, and structured learning. Our dedicated team works in partnership with parents to ensure each child's social, intellectual, cultural, physical, and emotional development is prioritised. With a curriculum aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and enhanced by unique programs like Garden Champions and Chatter Box Sessions, we foster lifelong learning and school readiness. Our Victorian house setting, equipped with light-filled rooms and outdoor spaces, supports holistic growth while our qualified staff undergo continuous training in safeguarding, first aid, and child development.We pride ourselves on transparent communication, offering termly parent meetings and an open-door policy to ensure families feel involved in their child's journey. Nutritional meals prepared daily by our chef, alongside bespoke activities promoting well-being and confidence, reflect our commitment to excellence. Recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society and ranked among the UK's best workplaces by Glassdoor, we blend expertise with warmth to create a secure, stimulating environment where every child flourishes.
Services
Early Years Education
Nutritious Meals
Garden Champions Program
Chatter Box Sessions
Settling-In Support
Details
- Year established: 2025
Highlights and features
- Our team holds advanced childcare qualifications and undergoes regular safeguarding training.
- We partner with parents through termly meetings and daily communication updates.
- Unique Garden Champions program teaches sustainability and outdoor safety.
- Nutritionist-approved meals prepared fresh daily by our in-house chef.
- Secure Victorian house environment with dedicated rooms for each age group.
Associations and certifications
- Royal Horticultural Society
- Glassdoor Employees Choice Award
What people say
Warm and welcoming
Flourished there
Loves the food
Wonderful staff
Best possible outcomes
Services
Early Years Education
Our EYFS-aligned curriculum fosters holistic development through play and structured activities. Children engage in literacy, mathematics, and creative arts while building social skills. Daily outdoor learning sessions promote physical coordination and environmental awareness, ensuring school readiness through age-appropriate challenges.
Garden Champions Program
This RHS-accredited gardening initiative teaches children about plant life cycles, sustainability, and healthy eating. Using real tools, children prepare soil, plant seeds, and harvest produce under supervision. The program develops risk assessment skills and connects classroom learning to practical experiences, with harvested ingredients incorporated into meals.
Chatter Box Sessions
Children bring decorated boxes containing personal items to share in small groups. This activity enhances vocabulary, listening skills, and confidence through peer discussions. Key workers facilitate conversations that improve attention span and narrative abilities, supporting language development crucial for school transition.
Nutritious Meals
Freshly prepared meals meet dietary and cultural needs while promoting healthy eating habits. Our chef creates four-week rotating menus featuring home-grown produce from our garden. Mealtimes encourage social interaction and table manners, with staff supporting children's independence in a relaxed, communal setting.
Settling-In Support
Personalised sessions help children adapt to nursery through gradual introductions with key workers. Parents receive regular feedback on development milestones while children explore rooms at their own pace. This approach minimises anxiety and builds trust between staff, children, and families during the critical early weeks.
People
Michaela Hayward
Nursery Manager
Michaela leads our team with expertise in early years education and staff development. She ensures compliance with EYFS standards while maintaining our nurturing environment. Her leadership contributed to our Glassdoor recognition and RHS accreditation.
Questions
What curriculum does Ladybird follow?
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with enhancements like Garden Champions and Chatter Box Sessions to support holistic development.
How do you help children settle in?
Personalised settling-in sessions with key workers help children adapt gradually. Parents receive regular feedback while children explore rooms at their own pace.
Are meals included in fees?
Nutritionally balanced meals and snacks are included. Our chef prepares fresh dishes daily using seasonal ingredients, including produce from our garden.
What outdoor activities are available?
Daily outdoor learning includes gardening, physical play, and risk assessment exercises. Children use real tools in our RHS-accredited Garden Champions program.
How do you communicate with parents?
We offer termly meetings, daily updates, and an open-door policy. Parents receive progress trackers and can review their child's Learning Journey at any time.
What qualifications do staff hold?
All staff have advanced childcare qualifications and undergo mandatory training in safeguarding, paediatric first aid, and child development.
Reviews (5)
Zoe Cotton
Aug 13, 2021
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Brilliant nursery , they helped my daughter so much and she gained so much confidence and learning skills. The staff are all understanding and very polite. Highly recommended
Sarah Cray
Dec 26, 2020
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Fantastic nursery, from the dedicated and friendly staff team to the resources and large garden space. The staff consistently go above and beyond for the children in their care.
Theresa Carse
Jun 11, 2020
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Excellent nursery. Would highly recommend. Everyone is lovely. The children are always looked after fantastically.
Dave Savill
Jun 03, 2020
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My daughter attends this nursery and loves every minute she is there. She's eager to put her shoes on each morning to go to the nursery and the ladies who look after her genuinely care about her. I cannot recommend this nursery enough.
Michaela Hayward
May 27, 2020
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Ladybird Day Nursery is a fantastic, homely environment with experienced staff which put the parents, carers and children at ease. My son attended Ladybird for 4 years and the opportunities and experiences he had, increased his confidence as an individual and developed his skills in all areas, preparing him for school life.
