Oak Tree Nursery

Marlborough Road, Ilfracombe EX34 8JL
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Top 20 award
9.9 175 Reviews
  • Oak Tree Nursery, Ilfracombe
Oak Tree Nursery is a Early Years Alliance childcare service located in Ilfracombe and offers 42 Ofsted-registered places.

The nursery offers high-quality care and learning opportunities, provided by a friendly and well-qualified team who follow the EYFS.

The nursery is open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year, excluding bank holidays and three staff training days.

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. The nursery recognises and understands the huge benefits that free flow play has on the positive development of very young children.

Every child 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.

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 activities, resources and equipment to promote development and qualified, experienced staff who provide a friendly, personal approach to the childcare they provide.

The 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.

The nursery prides itself 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.

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Care Provided by Oak Tree Nursery

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Stella Freebody (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 11
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 1096526
  • Total Places for Children
  • 42
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Oak Tree Nursery

  • Full day Session Babies £53.00
    Full Day Session Toddlers £53.00
    Full Day Session Preschool £53.00
    AM/PM Session £33 All ages

  • Lunches and tea are provided by our on site cook and are currently costed at £2.00 per meals as these are not covered by funding. Food costs are included in private bookings.

Oak Tree Nursery Reviews (175)

Total of 175, showing 81-100
9.9

Oak Tree Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.946) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Oak Tree Nursery has 175 reviews.

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Review from Joe A (Father of Child) published on 21 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Oak Tree has been amazing with helping our 3-year-old son settle into his new nursery. He loves going and enjoys the range of activities they offer, even during this tricky time!
The staff are incredibly helpful and update via the Famly app often what he has been doing during his time with them.

Reply from Stella Freebody, Manager at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's been wonderful to see how well your son has settled and and to watch him grow and develop as his confidence grows.


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Review from Stacey W (Mother of Child) published on 30 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a fabulous nursery with amazing staff. My oldest child attended before he went off to school and they were amazing with him. Now my youngest attends one day a week with them and although he has only been there a short time the improvement in his behaviour has changed drastically. He wasn’t very
good at socialising with other children and didn’t like them near him, now he has learnt to accept other children near him and they keep us well informed with how our children are doing, cannot recommend them enough.

Reply from Stella Freebody, Manager at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's so good to hear how well-loved the nursery is.


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Review from Tony P (Father of Child) published on 30 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my kids have gone to this nursery. My youngest is really protective over toys and likes to play by himself. Since joining nursery, over the weeks he is now playing with other children and is really doing well. Especially his talking. I'm so proud to see how he has developed and loves this nursery
so much. He never wants to leave.

Reply from Stella Freebody, Manager at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's lovely to hear that you feel your child is progressing well and is so happy at Oak Tree.


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Review from Charlotte B (Mother of Child) published on 30 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Outstanding nursery. I personally couldn't wish for a better nursery for my children to attend. Great outdoor space, as well as amazing indoor activities and tasks for children to do which is all set out differently each day to allow the children to explore fully. All staff are very welcoming, helpful
and kind to both guardians and children. Oak Tree goes above and beyond to meet the needs of each and every child.

Reply from Stella Freebody, Manager at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's really lovely to hear your opinion on how we do things at Oak Tree. We do try really hard to make each and every day special.


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Review from Glen M (Father of Child) published on 30 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would like to take the time to thank the Oak Tree Nursery team for their kindness and due diligence with my son. They have helped him with numbers, taught him to share and basically involved him in all the activities that they do there. Water play, painting and all that he absolutely loves, once again
thank you very much.

Reply from Stella Freebody, Manager at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. I will pass on your kind words to the staff team. It's lovely to hear how much he loves learning through play at Oak Tree.


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Review from Sam S (Father of Child) published on 30 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery, lovely staff, professional, caring and makes happy, confident children. Thank you to everyone involved in this lovely community provision.

Reply from Stella Freebody, Manager at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We do work hard to build a little community here at Oak Tree and to make sure our children are happy and well loved.


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Review from Oli B (Father of Child) published on 2 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery and staff, great open spaces outside which he loves and he has developed so much since being there from 9 months old.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are continuing to work hard on making our outdoor spaces the very best it can be!


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Review from D R (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff here have been amazing in encouraging my daughter to blossom. She is counting, singing and playing wonderfully with other children. She has been encouraged to become a lovely young lady!

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are delighted to hear how well your daughter is progressing at Oak Tree Nursery.


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Review from Sarah M (Grandmother of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My grandson goes to this nursery and loves it. He has made such good friends here and can’t wait to go back every time. The staff here are fantastic, and it is such a well run nursery and encourage learning through play. Thank you all at Oak Tree Nursery.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are delighted with how well your grandson has settled into the Oak Tree community.


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Review from Poppy (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

A wonderful setting, with a great environment and welcoming staff. The only nursery I wanted to send my child, who really does enjoy going to Oak Tree. It has had a really positive impact.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are very glad that the impact of our expertise is apparent.


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Review from Natasha T (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have found Oak Tree Nursery to be more than we could have ever hoped for. Our baby and pre-schooler both attend the nursery, and the staff have all been fantastic. It is very well run, and they have embraced technology, so it is very easy to keep up to date with our children’s progress via their
app. The management are very on the ball and always there if you need them.
There are a huge amount of activities for the children to do in a very safe, fun and controlled environment.
Our children eat a great variety of food there which is all freshly prepared.
We would not hesitate to recommend Oak Tree.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's lovely to hear that the nursery is exceeding expectations, we work really hard to provide a fun and inclusive community. It's great to hear how well the Family app is working for parents, we so enjoy posting those special moments for you to see.


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Review from Lucy S (Mother of Child) published on 29 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Oak Tree Nursery has been everything we wanted for our son, he started in the baby room and is currently in the preschool room. He has a food allergy and the nursery have been incredible with making sure his meals are allergy-free and safe, I haven’t had to worry at all. All the staff are so friendly
and take time to ask about my day and also let me know how my sons day has been and my son is always having so much fun when I pick him up. I highly recommend this nursery.

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Review from George W (Father of Child) published on 15 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son really enjoys going to this nursery. Every time I pick him up, he is always in a happy mood and tells me about his day. All the staff are fantastic.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. Your son is really enjoying his time in the pre-school room and is making lots of new friends. We're so glad he leaves nursery happy and smiling and likes talking about his day.


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Review from Penny C (Mother of Child) published on 12 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had both of my children attend Oak Tree in the baby room, then on to the main room. I have always been so impressed by the high level of care and all the exciting activities the kids do. The food is fantastic with a great emphasis on healthy eating. I think Oak Tree is an excellent choice.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We've worked really hard this year in partnership with the Early Years Nutrition Partnership to ensure that our menus are healthy and offer a wide variety of foods. The children love being involved in the preparation of their food, self-serving and sharing with their friends at mealtimes. It's one of the things that we are very, very proud of here at Oak Tree.


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Review from Lisa P (Mother of Child) published on 12 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is brilliant, all the staff are great. They are all so welcoming and make the children feel safe and secure while they're there. My daughter loves it, always talks about her day when coming home and never wants to leave. Can't thank the staff enough for how well they all do.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our nursery. It's lovely to hear that the children talk about nursery outside of their sessions. I will pass on your kind words to the staff team.


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Review from Helen C (Mother of Child) published on 12 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very pleased with this setting for our son. He has been attending since the age of 11 months (now 20 months) in the baby room. It is great for us as working parents to know that all meals and snacks are provided for him during the day, one less thing for us to sort in the morning. He also gets
a wide range of different foods to try and enjoy. Each week the room has been reorganised to enrich learning, with resources that nursery staff feel will stimulate those attending that day/week. They have a great outdoor space and use it as often as possible, which our son loves. We love the recent use of the app, it’s great to get photos of what your child is up to and it helps being linked to learning as we can see what next steps we can support him with. All staff are very friendly and very approachable and always have time to verbally talk with us if need be. Best of all, our son loves going to nursery.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are delighted that your son loves to be at nursery - we certainly enjoy having him in session with us! We do follow the children's interests very carefully to ensure we always offer an environment that is stimulating and fun. We too enjoy using the app and being able to share that precious moment with parents more quickly and effectively.


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Review from Helen F (Mother of Child) published on 7 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our 18-month-old son has been attending Oak Tree Nursery for 3 months now for 2 afternoons a week and we are extremely impressed with the quality of care provided by the nursery team. He absolutely loves the activities which vary so much and we enjoy receiving the updates and photos showing what he's
been up to! The toys and layout of the baby room are rotated frequently and there is always something new for him to play with. It's lovely to see the team layout toys that they know he enjoys playing with on the days he attends - one session the whole baby room had been converted to a sensory room after he had shown a great interest in a mood light the week before. He has bonded with all of the staff and his vocabulary has come on so far since he's joined. When we talk about nursery at home, he gets very excited and says the names of the nursery team with big smiles. Highly recommend!

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are delighted to hear how happy you are with the setting. The staff follow the children's interests very carefully and always devise activities that will pique their natural curiosity and help to develop an excited attitude to learning.


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Review from Isobel B (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We couldn’t be happier with Oak Tree Nursery. Our son has been attending since before his first birthday and is now three. He has built a wonderful relationship with his key worker and they really supported him in his transition from the baby room to the main room which he initially found quite tricky.
Despite him only attending one session a week I can really see how his development has improved, taking an interest in drawing and numbers. It is also lovely to be able to use the app to receive photos and observations from his time at nursery and see what he has been up to. He loves looking at the photos at home and uses these to talk about his day. It is a lovely and friendly environment and he always gets a warm welcome from all staff. Thank you for giving him such a great start.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your lovely review of our nursery. We appreciate all children are unique and work with that ethos to ensure that their needs are catered for within our setting and that they feel secure and comfortable in our care.


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Review from K C (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter loves nursery. She enjoys a variety of activities and experiences offered to them. Staff are very creative with the learning that takes place and it is always exciting to see what has been set up in the setting each week.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. The staff follow the children's interests to devise and implement inviting activities for the children in setting and this works well as the children are happy, engaged and curious.


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Review from Daniel H (Father of Child) published on 5 November 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As a first-time father, I was so worried and reluctant to leave my baby boy with anyone but my wife. It has been a good 6-7 months now maybe more and I’m so happy with this place, the friendliness, professionalism, kindness everything that needs to be seen and said to set my mind at ease knowing that
my boy is in amazing hands. I can’t express how happy I am with the way they treat me as a parent and the love they give my boy. Basically this place is amazing and wouldn’t have my future kids anywhere else.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our nursery. We love having your son in setting with us and seeing the progress he is making. It's very gratifying to hear that our staff team is held in such high regard.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.946)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.946) out of 10 for Oak Tree Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 20 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.946 for Oak Tree Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (227 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 240 Ratings = 4.946

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Oak Tree Nursery is based on 20 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 42 number of registered child places is 8.4, which has been reached with 20 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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Awards / Recognitions (7)

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Meet the Team (16)

Stella

Stella

Job Title: Early Years Manager

Joined: 2015

Having started at Oak Tree Nursery in 2015, I have been managing the setting since 2018. My passion is literacy and I am an avid reader. I am continually looking for ways to enhance the setting further and build our community here at Oak Tree.


My colleagues would describe me as respectful, supportive and professional.


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Debbie

Job Title: Assistant Early Years Manager

Joined: 2023

Assistant Early Years Manager


Lynne

Lynne

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2011

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 10 years.


I enjoy having family time, especially being a Nana!


My colleagues would describe me as lovely, fun, fantastic with children


Mandy

Mandy

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2020

After training at Oak Tree 12 years ago I returned in 2020 with over 8 years experience in early years settings. I am a Level 3 Early Years Educator and work across our baby room and the rest of the setting.


My colleagues would describe me as funny, friendly and bubbly.


Suzanne

Suzanne

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2020

I have 19 years of experience and am an Early Years Educator. I work primarily with our two-year-old children.


My colleagues would describe me as creative, fun and nurturing.


Gemma

Gemma

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2020

I am an Early Years Educator and work across the whole setting.


My colleagues would describe me as cheery, kind and patient.


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Shelley

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2021

Early Years Educator


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Holly

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2021

Early Years Educator


Kayleigh

Kayleigh

Job Title: Early Years Assistant

Joined: 2020

I am an Early Years Assistant and work across all rooms in our setting.


Colleagues would describe me as hardworking, fun and child focused. I love to play!


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Lily

Job Title: Apprentice Early Years Educator

Joined: 2024

Apprentice Early Years Educator


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Amy

Job Title: Flexible Early Years Educator

Joined: 2025

Flexible Early Years Educator


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Charlotte

Job Title: Flexible Early Years Assistant

Joined: 2025

Flexible Early Years Assistant


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Milly

Job Title: Flexible Early Years Assistant

Joined: 2025

Flexible Early Years Assistant


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Georgina

Job Title: Nursery Cook

Joined: 2021

Nursery Cook.


Tracey

Tracey

Job Title: Setting Cleaner

Joined: 2020

I am the person who makes the nursery sparkly clean at the end of every messy day!


My colleagues would describe me as happy, organised and an absolute asset!


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Lorna

Job Title: Flexible Early Years Educator

Joined: 2004

Flexible Early Years Educator


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