Buttercups Day Nursery

Baby care and support for mothers sat together in June 2025 at Buttercups Day Nursery, within HMP Eastwood Park woman's prison in Gloucestershire. Daily work then included weaning advice, early communication and opportunities for mothers to contribute to nursery life. It has capacity for 13 children.

At its 24 June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, judged personal development Outstanding and found safeguarding effective. The children attending then were aged 0 to 1; that age range describes the babies at the time.

In June 2025, learning centred on babies' physical development, communication and relationships. The early years foundation stage is the framework for learning, development and care: here, reaching for toys, gripping rattles and responding to songs put those foundations into everyday play.

Staff used words about size, number songs and signing alongside spoken language. These gave babies several ways to connect sounds, actions and meaning. Activities followed their interests and developmental next steps.

Outdoor experiences were part of each day in June 2025. A soft-play area gave babies opportunities to practise movement, while the family tree offered babies and relatives somewhere outside to spend reflective time together. Regular outside activities helped babies explore the world around them.

Sensory exploration needed more attention. In June 2025, materials were not consistently accessible to babies, limiting some opportunities for sensory and creative exploration.

In June 2025, sleep support included gentle touch and singing, with care organised around individual babies' needs. Mothers received advice about healthy food and individual help with weaning, linking nursery care with decisions about feeding.

Observations and initial assessments informed each baby's next steps. Staff worked with health visitors and family support workers to identify developmental gaps. Training through a nurture programme emphasised responding to learning as it happened.

Mothers' feedback had prompted a lending library by June 2025. A noticeboard also invited their contributions and shared routines, stay and plays, picnics and training. These were practical ways for mothers to participate, rather than simply receive updates.

The address is Eastwood Park, Falfield, WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, GL12 8DB, at The Eastwood Park Womans Prison.

In June 2025, the baby unit operated Monday to Friday across 51 weeks of the year. Morning sessions ran from 8.50am to 12pm, with afternoon sessions from 2pm to 5pm if required. Those arrangements describe the attendance model at that date.

• Sensory opportunities. In June 2025, access to sensory activities was inconsistent. Ask how babies can now reach and explore these materials during ordinary play.
• Dummies and communication. In June 2025, continued dummy use sometimes interfered with emerging speech. Discuss how comfort needs and opportunities to vocalise are balanced for your baby.
• Access and attendance. The nursery sits within a prison, and its June 2025 afternoon sessions operated if required. What access arrangements and session pattern would apply to your family?

Buttercups' June 2025 provision suited families needing baby care within the prison setting, with support for mothers woven into feeding, communication and participation. Its June 2025 attendance model served both morning-session and conditional afternoon-session needs. The strongest inspection judgement was personal development; the practical priorities were better access to sensory exploration and more thoughtful dummy use.