Partou Hucclecote Day Nursery & Pre-School
Partou Hucclecote Day Nursery & Pre-School is a day nursery in Gloucester for children aged 1 to 5, with 87 registered places. Ofsted report card, 20 August 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met.
165 Hucclecote Road, Gloucester, GL3 3TX
Key facts
- Type
- Day nursery (Full day care) (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
- Ages
- 1 to 5 (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
- Registered places
- 87 (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
- Registered
- 23 March 2011 (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
Opening hours
Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:45 - 18:00
Source: Ofsted report, inspection on 20 August 2026
Who runs it
Partou Hucclecote Day Nursery & Pre-School is run by Partou UK Limited (Ofsted register).
Latest inspection
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
- Achievement: Expected standard
- Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Expected standard
- Children's welfare and wellbeing: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Expected standard
- Safeguarding standards met
Source: Ofsted, inspection on 20 August 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children arrive to a welcoming and calm environment where they settle and show familiarity with the routines of the day. Babies receive attentive, responsive care and look to familiar adults for reassurance as they explore sensory materials and simple physical challenges. Toddlers and older children move around their rooms and outdoor areas with confidence, choosing activities that match their developing interests and emerging skills.
Across the day, children take part in a mix of child-led play and established routines. They usually respond well to transitions and follow staff guidance as they move from one part of the day to another. Outdoors, children climb, balance, run and explore natural materials, which supports their coordination and early problem-solving. Indoors, they engage in imaginative play, early mark-making, construction and role-play, often sharing ideas with friends.
Children show positive relationships with staff and approach them for help or interaction when needed. They play alongside and with their peers, showing cooperation and kindness during shared activities. Babies and toddlers benefit from close contact with staff, while older children show increasing independence in personal care and daily routines.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities take part in activities alongside their peers and receive encouragement to communicate, explore and develop early independence.
Overall, children spend their day in an environment that supports their wellbeing, comfort and enjoyment. They appear settled, engaged and ready to participate in the experiences offered.
What Ofsted found in each area
Inclusion: Expected standard
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are usually included well in daily routines and activities. Staff demonstrate an overall understanding of children's individual needs and work with the special educational needs coordinators to implement strategies that help children participate and make progress. Visual prompts, simple language and consistent reassurance support children who need additional help. Children who are facing barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing are cared for sensitively, with agreed plans followed to promote their health and wellbeing.
Children who speak English as an additional language receive support that helps them take part in activities and communicate with staff. Familiar routines, gestures and modelling help them understand what is happening and join in with others.
Children typically experience an environment where differences are acknowledged and respected. Staff encourage quieter children to join group games and discussions, helping them develop confidence and social awareness. Children respond positively to this encouragement and show willingness to engage with others.
Leaders recognise that recent changes in staff deployment have resulted in some variation in staff knowledge of children's individual needs. They are taking steps to stabilise core teams and ensure staff understand children's backgrounds, interests and support plans.
Parents generally feel included in discussions, and leaders are working to improve consistency in communication.
Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
Children experience a broad curriculum that supports the seven areas of learning and development. Staff interact positively with children, encouraging early conversation, turn-taking and listening skills. Babies explore sensory materials and climbing equipment, for example, they investigate textured balls and reach for low-level steps, with staff close by offering reassurance. Toddlers and older children take part in activities that promote independence and problem-solving.
Mathematical ideas are woven into everyday play, such as counting, comparing quantities and exploring capacity outdoors. For instance, children fill and empty containers at the water tray, commenting on which holds 'more' and which was 'too full'. Children enjoy group games that help them follow instructions and develop early social skills. They play listening games outdoors, responding to simple cues and waiting for their turn.
Staff understand the importance of preparing children for their next stage and support early skills such as expressing needs, following routines and practising independence. Children's learning is shared with parents through observations, learning stories and daily handovers.
Staff generally understand the intent of planned activities and how these support children's development. Leaders are ensuring staff have the knowledge they need to deliver the curriculum consistently across rooms. Overall, children experience a curriculum that supports their development and enjoyment.
Achievement: Expected standard
Children generally build confidence as they take part in activities that help them practise new skills and explore ideas. Babies develop early vocabulary as staff model simple words and respond to their sounds and gestures. They enjoy exploring textures, movement and simple physical challenges that help them feel secure and curious.
Toddlers and older children show growing independence as they choose materials, test ideas and adapt what they are doing. They concentrate during small group activities, listen to instructions and use early thinking skills to work things out. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported to take part alongside their peers, using visual prompts and clear language to help them understand routines and expectations.
Children typically show pride in what they achieve, whether completing a puzzle, recalling new vocabulary or mastering a physical skill outdoors. Overall, children experience learning that helps them grow, participate and prepare for their next stage.
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Expected standard
Children typically show positive attitudes to learning and play. They move calmly around the environment, choosing activities that interest them and engaging for sustained periods. Staff model respectful interactions, and children respond by showing kindness, offering help to peers and using simple phrases to negotiate during play.
Children demonstrate familiarity with daily routines, such as tidying away resources, washing hands and preparing for outdoor play. They listen to staff prompts and usually transition smoothly between activities. Newer children settling in receive reassurance and comfort, helping them feel secure and ready to explore.
Most children attend regularly, which helps them build confidence in the routines of the day and maintain relationships with staff and peers. When children are absent, staff follow agreed processes to check on their wellbeing and maintain communication with families.
Children enjoy opportunities to take responsibility, such as helping set up snack or choosing resources for group time. These experiences support their confidence and sense of belonging. Leaders recognise that mealtime organisation occasionally results in extended waiting, which can reduce children's engagement.
Overall, children behave well, show curiosity and demonstrate growing independence as they navigate their day.
Children's welfare and wellbeing: Expected standard
Children's welfare is generally supported well throughout the day. Staff respond promptly to children's physical needs, carrying out care routines sensitively and in line with agreed practice. Babies benefit from close contact, gentle reassurance and predictable routines that help them feel secure and ready to explore. Older children show increasing independence in personal care, supported by staff who encourage them to try tasks for themselves while remaining nearby for guidance.
Healthy eating is promoted, and children enjoy balanced meals and snacks. Staff talk to children about food choices and encourage them to try new tastes. Outdoor play forms a regular part of the day, giving children opportunities to climb, run and explore natural materials, supporting their coordination and physical confidence.
Staff monitor children's wellbeing closely, responding to signs of tiredness, frustration or excitement. They use calm reassurance, simple language and familiar routines to help children regulate their emotions. Agreed approaches are followed to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and staff liaise with external professionals when needed.
Leaders oversee children's welfare by ensuring staff follow established procedures, maintain safe environments and understand children's individual needs. Overall, children experience care that promotes their comfort, safety and emotional security.
Leadership and governance: Expected standard
Leaders generally understand their responsibilities and take steps to ensure practice across the setting supports children's experiences. They review daily organisation, monitor routines and check that staff follow procedures that promote children's comfort and security. Leaders use observations, discussions and supervision to understand the quality of practice and identify where further development is needed. They provide guidance and training to support staff in understanding children's needs and the intent behind planned activities.
Leaders consider staff wellbeing and workload when organising routines and responsibilities. They use supervision and informal check-ins to provide support where needed, helping staff carry out their roles effectively.
Partnerships with parents are typically positive, although leaders acknowledge that communication is not always consistent, particularly during transitions and end-of-day handovers. They are strengthening approaches to information-sharing so families receive clear and timely updates. Leaders liaise with external professionals when needed to support children's development and ensure continuity of care.
What the setting must and should do next
The provider should:
- Leaders should review routines to reduce unnecessary waiting and ensure transitions are smooth, helping children remain comfortable and engaged.
- Leaders should organise staff so children experience consistent adults who know their routines and needs well, supporting continuity and confidence.
- Leaders should further develop the clarity and consistency of information shared with parents so they always understand how their child has been and what has happened during the day.
Ofsted's words, from the report on the inspection on 20 August 2026. Read the full report on the Ofsted website. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Inspection history
Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)
Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.
The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.
Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.
Source: Ofsted reports
Funded childcare hours in England
All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.
Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.
Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.
The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.
Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)
Other nurseries nearby
- Dean Close Little Trees Day Nursery, Hucclecote - Day nursery, Gloucester GL3 3TX, ages 0 to 4, 63 places, under 0.1 milesOfsted, 21 January 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Poppyseeds Day Nursery - Day nursery, Gloucester GL3 4HJ, ages 0 to 4, 50 places, 0.5 milesOfsted, 22 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Neverland Childcare - Pre-school, Gloucester GL3 3RX, ages 1 to 3, 15 places, 0.6 milesOfsted, 29 September 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Abbeymead Under Fives Playgroup - Day nursery, Gloucester GL3 3NS, ages 2 to 4, 48 places, 0.7 milesOfsted, 6 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Ridgemount Cottage Nursery School - Day nursery, Gloucester GL3 4EH, ages 0 to 4, 120 places, 0.8 milesOfsted report card, 21 July 2026: Expected standard in 4 areas, Needs attention in 2 areas; safeguarding standards met
Schools nearby
- Coopers Edge School - Primary, 0.7 miles
- Lift Hillview - Primary, 0.8 miles
- Dinglewell Infant School - Primary, 0.8 miles
- Dinglewell Junior School - Primary, 0.8 miles
- Lift Brockworth - Primary, 0.9 miles
Partou Hucclecote Day Nursery & Pre-School on the Ofsted website