Buckden Day Nursery in St Neots, Cambridgeshire has once again been recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted, for the third time running. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication, warmth, and professionalism of the entire team, who are passionate about giving every child the very best start in life.
The recent inspection, in August 25, praised the nursery across all areas. Quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, rating each as Outstanding.
Inspectors described the nursery as a place where,
Children thrive at this outstanding setting, where the team’s passion for early education shines through.
OFSTED INSPECTOR
Nursery manager Keeley Lockey reflects,
“We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud of the outcome of our recent inspection. Being awarded Outstanding for the third consecutive time is simply wonderful. We have the most amazing team, whose love, dedication and passion shines through in the nurturing environments they create and the ambitious curriculum they deliver. Ofsted recognised how our team builds secure attachments and provides warm, tailored interactions and that’s exactly what makes Buckden such a special place.
We are incredibly lucky to have the support of both our team and our community. We all love what we do, and it’s truly wonderful to see that recognised in this way.”
Q&A with Nursery Manager, Keeley Lockey
Q: How did you feel when you received the Outstanding rating?
“We were ecstatic! We always strive to keep achieving at the highest level, and this recognition means so much to us. Our approach is very reflective, the team here has incredible retention, people want to be part of Buckden, and that dedication shows in every room. It’s truly engrained in our ethos.”
Q: What do you believe contributed most to receiving this positive rating?
“It’s all down to the team’s drive and desire to be better. They’re constantly learning, reflecting, and improving. Strong key working and mentoring underpin everything we do. We’re a homely, nurturing environment, but also a well-thought-out, smoothly running machine.”
Q: Can you highlight some of the strengths noted in the Ofsted report?
“The report really reflected what I see every day. Secure attachments, personal emotional wellbeing, and age-appropriate interactions all stood out. Our team never treat children as numbers. Every child is seen as an individual, with their own needs and personalities. Across the nursery, interactions are warm, responsive, and completely tailored.”
Q: How do you plan to maintain and build on this positive rating?
“We always work to an action plan. There’s never a point where we stop. This term we’re introducing woodwork and forest school, with a big focus on building children’s independence. The goal is always to keep moving forward.”
Highlights from the Ofsted Report
Inspectors praised many aspects of practice, including:
- Outstanding relationships: “Children develop close, secure attachments. The team’s sensitive and outstanding approach to individual needs underpins the wonderful progress children make.”
My two children have always had great relationships with the team and are excited to see them. I also get thoughtful updates from people who really know them. Their personalities, their quirks, their needs. I wouldn’t send my children anywhere else and recommend them to everyone.
family at buckden day nursery
- Language and communication: “Babies learn sign language to express their needs, while older children are introduced to letter sounds and supported in rich conversations.”
- Reflective leadership: “The management team’s consistent approach to reflective practice means the nursery is always finding new ways to improve.”
- High-quality learning: “Staff tailor their teaching to each child, demonstrating an incredibly high standard of knowledge and practice.”
All of the team at Buckden Day Nursery are really warm, caring and supportive. They are clearly experts in early years and they take time and effort to ensure every child is settled and happy. They treat each child as being unique.
family at buckden day nursery
Looking Ahead at Our Nursery
With exciting plans such as introducing forest school and expanding opportunities for independence, Buckden Day Nursery continues to evolve while staying true to its ethos: every child matters, every child is known, every child thrives.
Here’s to another chapter of excellence in early years education at Buckden Day Nursery.