Peekaboo Day Nursery

A converted bungalow, floor-level resources for babies and an outdoor area for toddlers give Peekaboo Day Nursery a recognisable character. This Bottesford setting cares for children from birth to five, with separate provision for babies, toddlers and preschool children. Its appeal lies in the connection between those stages: babies can see older children through a gated doorway, while preschool children practise helping younger ones.

At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Peekaboo Good overall, with two priorities for improvement: more stretching conversations and better use of assessments to plan each child's next learning steps. Those priorities matter alongside the warm relationships and opportunities for independence described below. A pleasant day and a sufficiently challenging day need to go together.

Full days, mornings and afternoons are offered across the year.

Rooms and Ages

The baby room places resources within reach at floor level, with comfortable spaces and a gated connection to the older children's area; babies also join the bigger room for messy activities and meals with their key person. Moving to the toddler group usually happens around 18 months to two years, when the child is ready, rather than being described as a fixed birthday change.

Toddlers' play follows their interests, with practitioners supporting choice and growing independence, while the outdoor area gives running and climbing a place in their day. This stage is about trying things and making decisions. The emphasis is useful for children who want to do more for themselves but still need an adult close enough to help.

For the pre-school group, adult-guided activities take more time, with turn-taking games, construction and pretend tea parties in the kitchen area supporting shared play. Older children also visit babies and help toddlers with tasks such as putting on shoes. The groups have contact with one another, rather than each age band existing entirely apart.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS shapes learning through play across areas including language, physical development, relationships, early mathematics and creative expression. It is the shared early-years framework, rather than an extra programme. Peekaboo plans around children's interests within it, combining activities children choose with teaching led by adults. Its curriculum overview explains that balance.

Energise, the morning movement period, uses active games before children gather for a greeting song and an introduction to their play choices. Teach and play then combines construction, pretend play, books, water, sand and messy materials, with some resources reserved for adult-supported use. These are different ways into learning: a child can build, investigate, make marks or talk through an imagined situation.

Later, Chill introduces a quieter pause, sometimes using yoga or relaxation with music and attention to breathing. A warning before tidying gives children time to finish what they are doing. The routine therefore includes changes of pace, rather than expecting children to sustain the same level of activity throughout the morning.

Outdoor and Community Life

Groups take turns using the outdoor space during the play period. In June 2024, children built a garden obstacle course, used bicycles and climbed, giving physical play several forms beyond simply spending time outside. That same month, children chose activities and practised everyday independence by managing shoes, belongings and tidying.

The learning challenge was less consistent. In June 2024, some conversations missed opportunities to stretch children's ideas, and assessment information did not reliably shape the activities that followed. Older children within the baby room were one specific example of children needing greater challenge. For parents, the useful distinction is between access to appealing resources and adults using those resources to move learning forward.

Relationships and Communication

Settling starts before the child's booked attendance begins, except in an emergency. Families first spend roughly an hour playing at nursery, and the number of settling visits is agreed around the child and parent. This gives both sides time to develop familiarity before regular sessions start.

Tapestry, a secure online observation system, connects families with photographs, development updates and practical information such as sleep and nappy changes. Regular conversations sit alongside it, with contact possible in person, by telephone or by email. The combination matters: daily care information and a discussion about development serve different purposes.

At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and parent partnership a strength, with trusting relationships and informative communication. Those are dated judgements. The current team structure includes designated safeguarding lead and deputy roles, alongside a SENCO role for coordinating special educational needs support.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In June 2024, staff offered alternatives when children did not want to join an activity, while children talked with adults during play and included one another. This describes a practical response to differing preferences: participation could take another form, rather than every child being expected to make the same choice.

Babies eat according to their own feeding patterns, with textures adapted to what they can manage; older children have breakfast, snacks, a cooked lunch and a grazing-style tea. The nursery's allergy arrangements provide for separate catering, so families managing allergies should discuss their child's needs and current food handling before attendance.

Preparation for school includes a visiting teacher working on listening, group participation, phonics, mathematics and differences between school and nursery routines. In June 2024, staff also shared information with local schools and arranged opportunities for children to meet teachers. These are transition activities, helping children become familiar with the next stage rather than conferring an admissions advantage.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 314 Messingham Road, Bottesford, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN17 2QY. Peekaboo opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, throughout the year, including most bank holidays and the Christmas period.

The booking options are a full day from 8am to 6pm, a morning from 8am to 1pm, or an afternoon from 1pm to 6pm. Attendance can range from a minimum of one half day to five full days. Within a booked session, children may come later than its start or leave before its end. That flexibility concerns collection and drop-off within paid time, rather than a separate hourly booking pattern.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01724 860454. The joining process includes settling arrangements and forms covering personal details and consent.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes the economic entitlement for eligible two-year-olds, universal early education for three- and four-year-olds, and working-family funding extending to children from nine months. Funded hours are spread across the year. Eligibility conditions apply to the economic and working-family routes, and working-family eligibility must be revalidated every three months.

Parents can purchase additional hours or full and half days alongside funding. Food for funded sessions is charged separately, with the alternative of parents supplying it; parents also supply nappies, baby milk and sun cream. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation, with the charge structure explained on its fees and funding page.

The nursery describes itself as a feeder for schools including Oakfield Primary and Bottesford Infants. Attendance does not guarantee a school place: families still use the local authority admissions process. School preparation and the school application are separate matters.

• Challenge for older babies. In June 2024, activities did not always stretch older children in the baby room sufficiently. During a visit, ask how assessments now influence their next activities and how learning information reaches every practitioner.
• Settling before attendance. Play visits precede regular sessions except in an emergency, and their number is agreed with families. Allow time for that process when planning a return to work.
• Funded-session food and allergies. Food carries a separate charge on funded sessions, with a parent-supplied alternative. Families managing allergies should confirm separate catering arrangements for charged food on funded sessions or food they choose to supply.

Peekaboo suits families seeking either full days or morning and afternoon sessions in a converted home, with contact between age groups and an active daily routine. Tailored settling visits and Tapestry make the relationship with parents a substantial part of its offer.

The June 2024 improvement priorities remain the clearest point to explore: warm care needs to be matched by activities and conversations that stretch each child. For families who value movement, everyday independence and preparation for school, there is plenty here to discuss at a visit.