Oak Tree Nursery is an ÎÞÂëÌìÌà childcare service located in Ilfracombe, Devon. We offer 42 Ofsted-registered places and are assessed as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.
Our committed, friendly and well-qualified nursery team provides high quality care and learning opportunities for children aged between 0-5 years. We follow the with a focus on learning through play and actively encourage parents to become involved in the life of the nursery. Oak Tree Nursery offers a stimulating approach to early years development and learning for very young children. Within a safe, friendly and fun environment, children are supported by qualified, caring staff in developing a wide range of skills and interests. The children enjoy learning through play experiences in bright indoor and outdoor play areas.
We are managed by the ÎÞÂëÌìÌà which has over 50 years experience delivering childcare and practical, professional support to early years practitioners. We recognise and understand the huge benefits that free flow play has on the positive development of very young children. Every child in our care is supported by a key person who understands their individual needs and offers special care and support to them. Rigorous health and safety and safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to ensure every child is protected and feels safe and happy with us.
We are open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year, excluding bank holidays and three staff training days.
We offer
- A dediacted baby room for our under two years olds
- Funded childcare for qualifying two year olds and all three and four year olds
- A dedicated person to give focused support to your child
- Limited spaces available
- The 30 hour offer for eligible parents
- Healthy snacks and meals are prepared and provide on site.
- Individual learning journals to capture your child's time at Oak Tree Nursery
- A safe, friendly and fun place for you and your child
- Learning through indoor and outdoor play activities
- A well-qualified, kind and caring team
Latest news
We are proud to have been awarded a Top 20 Nurseries in the South West award from Daynurseries in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Find out more
To arrange a visit please contact Stella, Nursery Manager on 01271 865334 or oaktree@eyalliance.org.uk.
Or if you have an enquiry about the nursery you can also fill out our .
Or visit the .
'Completely blown away with Oak Tree Nursery. All three of my children have been here and I cannot express how amazing their nursery experience has been.
Amazing nursery staff so welcoming, happy and helpful. Love the outside space, foods amazing lots of variety.
This nursery is a very special place.'
About us
Our Baby Room - The baby room offers babies and toddlers a home from home feel, where children are safe, comfortable and supported. With access to a range of toys and equipment to promote development and qualified, experienced staff who provide a friendly personal approach to the childcare they provide. Activities aim to encourage each child to explore and experiment and learn through their play. We aim to achieve this by providing access to activities such as heuristic play and treasure basket activities, sensory play opportunities such as jelly play, cornflour gloop and paint exploration as well as outside play opportunities and activities to promote physical development such as soft play to climb and clamber on and a coasting rail to encourage early walking skills, as well as having a small designated outside area for our babies. Our aim is for our babies to leave us confident and ready for the challenges of the 2-5 room.
Our 2-5 years room - Our two to five year old room offers children the opportunity to develop skills for life, promoting independence, children explore being able to cut up snack, self serve and even have a go at washing up. We pride ourselves on making every opportunity a learning experience, children are able to self select to develop decision making skills and practitioners use children's interests to enhance the environment, plan for activities and new experiences. We enable children opportunities to work in small groups supported by their key person, group times support development, allow relationship bonds, these times are also an opportunity for children to practice communication skills and become active learners. The children have access to the outdoor environment daily, we aim to have the doors open as much as possible and children explore all weathers. Our aim is to give children as many opportunities as possible to aid their fun and learning.
Our nursery plans its activities in accordance with the with a strong focus on exploratory, imaginative play and healthy eating. We follow the children's interests to enhance activities and the environment, some examples of how we promote learning through play:
* Personal, Social and Emotional Development - All children have a key person, key group times, emotion stories and games, role play areas, circle games, mealtimes and developing a sense of belonging. Oak Tree Nursery has a huge sense of community and often involved in community events.
* Communication and Language - Imagination play, developing positive relationships with Children and practitioners, Story Sacks, songs and rhymes, book area. Role play areas to enable children to enhance their favorite stories.
* Physical Development - Opportunities to run, climb, hop and jump, a garden to explore, activities to investigate and develop new skills such as feeding self, using scissors, using pencils, paint brushes and construction blocks
* Literacy - Opportunities to develop a love of books, singing songs and using story spoons, Opportunities to recognises letters from own name, recognise rhyming words and have fun doing so.
* Mathematics - counting, rhyming and singing number songs, looking for shapes and numbers in the environment, exploring patterns and having a go at making up patterns.
* Understanding the World - A sense of belonging, being involved in local community events such as the Ilfracombe Carnival, Tesco Bags for Life and Tour De Britain. Within the setting, we have books, resources that represent different back grounds, listening to the birds, making friends, provide picture books to show and tell stories about diverse experiences. Children have opportunities to investigate ITC resources should as PC, torches and light boxes.
* Expressive Arts and Design - From mark making to painting, play dough, dancing and singing to using puppets, gluing and sticking, tapping out their name, to role play and being imaginative, children will be surrounded by opportunities to be creative and express themselves.
Find out more
To arrange a visit please contact Stella, Nursery Manager on 01271 865334 or oaktree@eyalliance.org.uk.
Or if you have an enquiry about the nursery you can also fill out our .
Our Team
Our well qualified, committed and experienced team works hard to create a caring and learning environment in the nursery.
We know that every child develops differently and at different times. Every child has a key person who understands their individual needs and interests. This helps us to ensure that every child feels involved, stimulated and happy in our care.
We follow rigorous staff recruitment, selection and supervision procedures to ensure that anyone joining our team undertake relevant security checks including Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure, references and qualification checks. Parents are reassured knowing that child protection and safeguarding underpins every aspect of our practice and will continue to remain a priority for us.
Your child's 'key person'
Every child who joins the nursery receives support from an experienced member of the team. They are responsible for your child’s individual needs and known as the ‘key person’. The key person is your main point of contact however all nursery staff are happy to feedback on your child’s developmental progress on a daily basis or discuss any concerns with you. They will also keep records of your child’s progress and achievement, which are always available for you to see and contribute towards.
Your child’s key person will make time to find out from you about your child’s interests, likes, dislikes and special requirements. Please share any important or useful information when you register your child and throughout their time with us. This helps us to give your child the most appropriate care and learning to suit their developmental, emotional and physical needs. You can access and contribute your views to your child's progress and achievements in their records.
Stella - Nursery Manager
Having worked at Oak Tree Nursery for a number of years, I started my journey at Oak Tree as a Nursery Assistant and now I am Nursery Manager. I am passionate with regard to enhancing the setting further and look forward to the new exciting opportunities. I feel Oak Tree is very much part of the community and we aim to meet the needs of the children and families we work with.
My colleagues would describe me as friendly, conscientious and professional.
Lorna - Senior Nursery Practitioner
Having had 14 years experience at Oak Tree Nursery as Senior Nursery Nurse, I have seen hundreds of children grow and develop! The best part of my role is playing, engaging with the children and watching them thrive.
My colleagues would describe me as friendly, very organised, jolly, creative and kind hearted.
Lynne - Nursery Practitioner
I qualified as a Nursery Nurse too many years ago to say! My first job was in a maternity hospital caring for newborns and working in the Special Care Baby Unit.
I have been fortunate enough to work in a variety of nursery schools and have been at Oak Tree for 6 years.
I enjoy having family time, especially being a Nana!
My colleagues would describe me as lovely, fun, fantastic with children.
Mandy - Nursery Practitioner
I achieved my level 3 over 10 years ago. I had over 8 years experience working in childcare, I enjoy messy play and getting creative. I'm happy working with the all age groups. I enjoy running and cross stitch
Find out more
To arrange a visit please contact Stella, Nursery Manager on 01271 865334 or oaktree@eyalliance.org.uk.
Or if you have an enquiry about the nursery you can also fill out our .
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FAQs
Do you offer funded entitlement for 3 year olds?
Children are eligible for the funding in the term following their third birthday. The funding is available for up to 15 or 30 hours per week term time, alternatively it can be stretched across the year as 11 or 22 hours a week.
Do you offer funded entitlement for 2 year olds?
If your child is two years old, your child may be eligible to attend the 2 year old funded childcare programme. The funding is available for up to 15 hours per week, the term after their second birthday. You can find out if you are eligible either by applying online at or phone 0845 155 1019.
What sessions do you offer?
We are open from 8am - 6pm, with morning, afternoon or all day sessions to suit working parents' needs.
Do you provide hot meals?
Yes, depending on what time of day your child attends, we provide cooked lunch (£2) and cooked tea (£2) during the nursery day.
Are you able to accommodate children with different dietary requirements?
All children's dietary needs are catered for, please let staff know of any allergies or foods to avoid when registering your child.
How quickly can my child start?
Please contact us to find out availability.
Find out more
To arrange a visit please contact Stella, Nursery Manager on 01271 865334 or oaktree@eyalliance.org.uk.
Or if you have an enquiry about the nursery you can also fill out our .
Contact Us
Stella, Nursery Manager
Oak Tree Nursery
Marlborough Road
Ilfracombe
Devon
EX34 8JL
01271 865 334
Find us next to the Fire Station, opposite Ilfracombe Infant School.
‘I honestly can’t thank you all enough for looking after her. Each and everyone of you is amazing and we will never forget how many memories have been made at Oak Tree.’
‘Thank you for your smiles, kindness and your praise. Thank you for your caring and helpful happy ways. Thank you for your wisdom and helping me shine. Thank you Oak Tree Nursery, I had a lovely time.’
‘Thank you so much for all the wonderful day over the last four years!! I’m excited to go to school but I will miss your all very much, love and hugs’.
‘Thank you all so much for the kindness and support that you’ve given our son – he’s really going to miss you all - (as are we!)’ –