Business Details
30 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Burtonwood
Established in 1996, Cottontails Day Nursery has built enduring partnerships with local families to deliver exceptional early years education and childcare. Our nurturing environments combine stimulating indoor and outdoor spaces designed to ignite curiosity and support holistic development. Our dedicated team of fully qualified professionals prioritises individualised learning through natural resources and a calm, neutral setting. We maintain strong home-educator partnerships via our bespoke Cottontails Day Nursery app while upholding rigorous academic standards.Our Burtonwood site features a five-star rated kitchen providing nutritionally balanced, home-cooked meals tailored to diverse dietary requirements. Recognised by Ofsted as both Good and Outstanding, we remain committed to fostering children's moral, academic, and social growth through thoughtfully structured learning experiences.
Services
Day Nursery
Preschool Education
Outdoor Learning
Nutritious Meals
Parent Communication App
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- Teacher-led nurseries with Ofsted Good and Outstanding ratings
- Natural learning environments with purpose-built outdoor classrooms
- Daily access to seasonal, home-cooked meals with dietary accommodations
- Bespoke parent communication app for real-time child development updates
- Experienced leadership team with over 35 years combined sector expertise
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Highly qualified staff
Engaging learning resources
Nutritious home-cooked meals
Excellent parent communication
Beautiful outdoor spaces
Services
Day Nursery
Our day nursery provides full-time early years education for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Qualified practitioners deliver structured learning through play-based activities in both indoor and outdoor environments. The service maintains a 1:4 staff-to-child ratio to ensure individual attention while following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Preschool Education
Teacher-led preschool programs prepare children for formal education through developmentally appropriate activities. Our curriculum focuses on literacy, numeracy, and social skills using natural resources and technology-enhanced learning. Each child receives a personalised learning journey documented through our digital communication platform.
Outdoor Learning
Daily outdoor sessions in our purpose-built gardens support physical development and environmental awareness. Children engage with natural elements through gardening, construction, and sensory play. This approach develops risk assessment skills while promoting physical coordination and emotional wellbeing through structured forest school-inspired activities.
Nutritious Meals
Our on-site chef prepares three-week rotating menus featuring seasonal British produce. All meals meet nutritional guidelines while accommodating allergies, dietary restrictions, and cultural requirements. The service includes morning snacks, freshly prepared lunches, and afternoon tea with organic ingredients sourced from local suppliers.
Parent Communication App
The bespoke Cottontails Day Nursery app provides real-time updates on children's daily activities, learning milestones, and development progress. Parents receive photographs, activity summaries, and direct messaging access to their child's key worker. The platform also facilitates appointment scheduling and important notifications.
People
Harriett Butterworth
Managing Director
Former primary school teacher with 25 years' experience in early years education. Purchased Cottontails Day Nursery in 2019, expanding to two sites within 12 months. Passionate about creating nurturing environments that support children's natural curiosity and developmental needs.
Zowie Railton
Operations Manager
Overseeing daily operations across both nursery sites. Ensures consistent delivery of high-quality educational programs while maintaining Ofsted compliance standards. Brings 15 years' leadership experience in early years sector management.
Lisa McNicholas
Nursery Manager
Experienced nursery manager responsible for Burtonwood site operations. Specialises in early childhood development and SEN provision. Holds Level 3 childcare qualification with additional leadership training in early years curriculum development.
Jackie Amery
Pre-school Manager
Manages St Philips Pre-school with focus on school readiness programs. Implements innovative teaching methods aligned with EYFS framework. Has 18 years' experience in early years education, including leadership roles in multiple Ofsted-rated settings.
Dawn
Chef
Qualified chef with City and Guilds certification and 35 years' catering experience. Develops seasonal menus meeting nutritional requirements for children. Holds food hygiene certificate and specialises in preparing meals for diverse dietary needs and cultural preferences.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years across our nursery and preschool settings.
Are meals included in nursery fees?
Yes, all meals and snacks are included. Our on-site chef prepares three daily meals using seasonal ingredients.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use our bespoke Cottontails app for daily updates, learning journey documentation, and instant messaging with key workers.
What are your staff qualifications?
All staff hold relevant childcare qualifications with regular continuing professional development training updates.
Do you have outdoor play areas?
Yes, both sites feature extensive outdoor classrooms with nature gardens and age-appropriate play equipment.
How do you handle dietary requirements?
Our chef creates individualised meal plans for allergies, medical needs, and cultural preferences with parental consultation.
