Business Details
26 Years
experience
Outstanding Family-Run Day Nursery in Sancton
Established in 2000, The Old School House Day Nursery is a family-run childcare provider located in Sancton, East Riding of Yorkshire. Our nursery operates within the Reggio Emilia Approach framework, prioritising child-led learning and natural exploration. With three consecutive Ofsted Outstanding ratings since 2010, we offer tailored childcare for children aged 6 months to 5 years across three dedicated rooms: The Nest, Bumble Bees, and Ladybirds. Our team, led by owner Sally with 38 years' experience, delivers a curriculum focused on creativity, outdoor learning, and individual development.We maintain small class sizes with 54 private places and 4 funded spots, ensuring personalised attention. Our annualised fee structure includes seasonal enhancements while offering sibling discounts and tax-free childcare options. The nursery grounds feature an Outdoor Explorer Classroom and Forest School, supporting daily nature-based activities. We maintain strong family partnerships through regular communication and digital updates via Parentmail app.
Services
Full Day Care
Short Day Care
Early Drop-Off
Funded Places
Flexible Booking
Forest School
Reggio Curriculum
Parent Communication App
Seasonal Enhancements
Tax-Free Childcare
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We hold three consecutive Ofsted Outstanding ratings since 2010
- Our owner has 38 years' childcare experience and professional qualifications
- We implement the Reggio Emilia Approach with dedicated outdoor learning spaces
- We offer flexible booking options including early bird drop-offs
- Our annualised fee structure includes seasonal enhancements and sibling discounts
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Incredible staff
Loves going to nursery
Amazing progress
Home from home
Exceeded expectations
Services
Full Day Care
Our full day booking operates between 8:00am and 6:00pm, including breakfast, lunch, light tea and late snack. The all-inclusive fee covers educational enhancements and seasonal activities. Children benefit from structured learning projects and outdoor exploration throughout the day.
Short Day Care
Available from 8:00am to 5:00pm, this option includes breakfast, lunch and light tea. The programme maintains educational value through guided activities while offering flexibility for families requiring shorter care periods.
Early Bird Booking
Flexible early drop-off available between 7:30am and 8:00am at discounted rates for regular bookings. This service supports working families needing childcare before standard operating hours while maintaining continuity of care.
Funded Places
We facilitate government-funded childcare hours for eligible families, offering both term-time and stretched funding options. Our funding pack explains available choices between basic funded provision and enhanced packages with additional educational benefits.
Forest School
Daily outdoor exploration in our dedicated Forest School area develops physical skills and environmental awareness. Children engage in nature-based projects, seasonal activities, and creative play while learning about sustainability and ecological responsibility.
People
Sally
Company Director and Head of Nursery
NNEB-trained with 38 years' childcare experience, Sally established the nursery in 2000. She holds a BA Hons in Childhood Education and Early Years Professional Status, leading the team to three consecutive Ofsted Outstanding ratings.
Katie
Business Director
Qualified with NVQ3 in Business and Administration, Katie has managed nursery operations since 2003. She oversees admissions, financial administration and ensures smooth day-to-day running of the facility.
Paul
Business Development Director
With CIM marketing qualifications and a BA Hons in Marketing, Paul has driven business growth since 2019. He manages strategic development and marketing initiatives while maintaining industry connections.
Jenny
Deputy Manager
Level 3 qualified with 19 years' service, Jenny leads the Pre-School room. She specialises in child development and safeguarding, ensuring educational standards align with Ofsted requirements.
Carol
Head of Babies
Level 3 qualified with 10 years' experience, Carol manages The Nest baby room. She focuses on sensory development and early attachment, creating nurturing environments for infants aged 6-24 months.
Questions
What are your current availability and waiting list status?
As of Autumn Term 2025, we have immediate availability in Ladybirds room (Thursday). Waiting list is paused until January 2026.
How does your Reggio Emilia Approach work in practice?
We follow children's interests through project-based learning, documented in visual stories. Recent projects included birdhouse construction and seasonal art exploration.
What funding options do you offer for childcare?
We accept government funding including 30 hours stretched provision, tax-free childcare schemes, and employer vouchers for eligible families.
How do you support children's transition to school?
Our curriculum develops school readiness through creative projects, literacy activities, and structured learning that exceeded expectations for previous attendees.
What outdoor activities are available daily?
Children access our Outdoor Explorer Classroom daily, with Forest School activities, edible gardening, nature art, and weather-permitting outdoor learning year-round.
How do you communicate with parents about daily activities?
We use the Parentmail app for daily updates, meal tracking, and developmental observations while maintaining open communication channels with key workers.
