Oak Tree Nursery

Marlborough Road, Ilfracombe EX34 8JL
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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.

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.


Total of 175, showing 101-120
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.

Overall Experience

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A wonderful setting, ethos, with a sense of exploration and adventure. The staff are fantastic too. My son loves his time at Oak Tree and his development and speech has really come along in leaps and bounds since he started at 2 years old.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for review of our nursery, it's fantastic to hear how our ethos is appreciated by our families and those in our nursery community.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing nursery they are my first choice. All members of staff are so happy and caring 24/7. My son attends here, is quite a mummy’s boy but in no time at all, he has been comforted and enjoys every day he goes in. He has already made new friends, learnt new things and made great bonds with the staff.
I feel very happy to leave my baby here, I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful nursery care for my child like they would their own.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your lovely review of our nursery. We are so pleased that you feel this way about Oak Tree, it's just wonderful to read! Our staff work incredibly hard to build strong, lasting bonds with all the children in our care.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would highly recommend Oak Tree Nursery to everyone. All staff are lovely, welcoming and so approachable. They work alongside the parents to create a person-centred plan to aid the children’s development and learning experience. Despite the fact that my child has been assigned a key worker, I feel
that I am able to approach any member of staff to discuss my child or any concerns or support that I may need. All food is home-cooked where the variety exceeds what I offer at home. Since starting the nursery my son has developed at an incredible rate and I can only thank the staff for their patience, support and kindness that they offer him and myself. My son absolutely loves going to nursery and is so fond of all the staff within the setting. Thank you, girls, for everything that you do.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

What kind words! Thank you so much for this lovely review. We are very proud of the progress your son is making - he makes us laugh every session with the new language he is learning and the confidence he now displays in communicating with us. I'll pass these wonderful comments on to the staff team and our cook - she'll be delighted to hear how well regarded her efforts are.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter loves going to Oak Tree and due to their great settling in process has settled very well. I have already noticed a great positive impact on her development and social skills. The staff are very friendly with great knowledge of the children and create a fun nurtured environment.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's great hear to that settling process worked so well for your family and that your daughter is making lots of new friends at nursery.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Oak Tree is a fantastic nursery, I wouldn't want to send my children anywhere else. The staff are all amazing, so welcoming and always find the time to have a chat and update you on what's happened throughout the day. My son loves going and can't wait to get there. Love the outdoor space and all of
the wonderful facilities they have. Highly recommend.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you very much for your wonderful review. Such lovely words! We can't wait to have the new arrival with us and we enjoy every session your son spends with us - his confidence has grown so much, it's a true pleasure to see!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter absolutely loves it here! All the staff are wonderful and she always comes home with kind words to say about them. They've got such a variety of different toys and activities for the children and always setting up new play stations for the children.
Couldn't recommend it enough!

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our nursery. The staff team are extremely creative and enjoy following the children's interests to devise activities for curious children.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can't speak highly enough about Oaktree. From the initial settling in of my first daughter and the care they took to ensure she was ready to be left, to the way they champion every developmental achievement.
Both of my children now attend and I couldn't hope for a warmer, family-like environment
for them to be in.
The staff are wonderful and I know they genuinely care about my children and their growth.
They are always striving for excellence in all areas, particularly when it comes to nutrition, but also things like the environment too.
We love Oaktree Nursery

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you so much for this amazing review, it's absolutely true that we strive for excellence in everything we do. Hopefully, we can pass that ethos on to the children in our care. We are amazed by how independent all of our children are.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my daughter and son have attended this nursery, my son went to school last year a confident 4 year old with thanks to the nursery, my daughter loves nursery days because of the wide range of activities that they have for them.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are really proud of how well both of the children have done here at Oak Tree. The team are always thinking up new ways to fire those little imaginations.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All of the staff at the nursery create a wonderful environment for my daughter to enjoy and learn every day she is there. She benefits from being around similarly happy children which means she looks forward to being at nursery. Great work all.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for such a lovely review. We're so glad to have your daughter with us in nursery. Her smile really is infectious.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Oak Tree isn't just a nursery it’s a family, with leaving do’s for graduating children, Christmas party for all family members, little events all year round making you, as a parent, feel included in our son's education and growth at the times when we can’t be there with him. Amazing all round.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you so much for your lovely review of our setting. We really do try to build a community here at Oak Tree and make sure that children and families feel a part of it. I will pass your wonderful comments onto the staff team, who work tremendously hard to make the setting what it is.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has learnt so much at this nursery.
She has gained so much confidence, and those that work here have been helpful every step of the way.
I don't plan on having another child (though I probably will have no choice), but if I did I would definitely send them here. Knowing they would be
great hands.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for reviewing our nursery. It's an absolute pleasure having your daughter in session with us - she makes us laugh each and every time she is here.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A well run friendly environment where my child loves to be! Always kept updated on his activities, learning and wellbeing. Couldn’t think of anywhere else I would send my son now he loves every aspect and has come on so well since he’s been there!

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our nursery. We are absolutely delighted with the progress your son is making - he's just a joy to have in the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child, since her first day at Oak Tree, has received the best care. The staff are friendly and supportive. The setting has provided a brilliant start to my child's first steps into education. It is full of enriching activities which my child enjoys thoroughly. Overall, Oak Tree and its staff have
allowed my child to start to explore her full potential by understanding her as an individual.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We know each of our children very well and through this knowledge, provide a variety of activities that we know will capture their interest and inspire them to learn new things. We learn as much from our children as they learn from us, and it's a joy to watch them explore and enjoy the activities that we have devised to fire their imaginations. It's great to hear that this approach is working well for your child!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Oak Tree Nursery is amazing, they helped myself and my son with additional needs so much and there was never a day I worried about him being there. They go over and above to help anyone with any worries or concerns. The staff are so friendly and polite and both my boys have made great connections with
each one of them.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It's great to hear how supported you have felt by Oak Tree during your children's' time with us. We do work very hard to ensure that every child is happy and included at Oak Tree.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Oak Tree has provided my daughter with a safe, exciting space in which to develop her skills. She is only 2 1/2 but knows her alphabet, days of the week, numbers to 20 and so many songs I have lost count. Her previous nursery shut down suddenly leaving lots of local parents totally adrift. Oak Tree
quickly stepped in, recruited staff and helped everyone out. It is a fabulous community.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are so glad that we could help when needed and that your daughter is now a part of the Oak Tree community - she certainly loves her time here!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All 3 of my children have attended Oak Tree over the years and we can't praise them enough. The staff are fantastic and can't be faulted in any way. The premises are always cleaned and maintained to a high standard which we feel creates a safe environment for our children.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It is very gratifying to see your children come to Oak Tree as they come of age. We have enjoyed sharing your journey as a family.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I find the Nursery a great setting for my child, after visiting other nurseries in the area I just knew my daughter would settle in well there as she thrives within the setting they offer her. She only goes once a week but she always looks forward to donning her shoes on and getting out the door on
a Monday morning, this is a relief for us both as Monday mornings are hectic enough without having to go against a strong-willed toddler. Once she is there she bursts through the door with excitement and happily waves goodbye to her mummy.


The staff are really friendly and welcoming, if any problems were to arise I feel confident in raising these with the setting manager, not that we have any concerns. I know she would do her best to iron out any issues.


The set up in the nursery is great and the children can flow around the activities with ease choosing what they wish to play with, they also have a good outside area which I know the staff are keen to use weather permitting.


Overall Oak Tree is a great Nursery that I would recommend to anyone.


Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you very much for your review of our nursery. We are very proud of the fact that our children are able to access the resources that they choose to. By working in a wholly transparent manner with parents and carers we can build a solid foundation of trust to base our parent/carer relationships upon and this benefits the children in our care greatly.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot praise Oak Tree enough, I always feel my daughter is so well cared for and nurtured within the nursery. She always comes out saying what a wonderful day she's had! I always feel the staff and management go beyond what is required and have been amazing at creating the parent relationship which
is so important. All staff are welcoming and truly care for the wellbeing and progression of each child. My daughter will be leaving for school in September and I know how much we will both miss this nursery!

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you so much for your review of our nursery. We truly believe that by working in partnership with our parents we can create a strong community within our nursery. This is evidenced by the progress the children make during their time at Oak Tree. We will miss your daughter when she moves on to school.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very impressed with Oaktree. My son has a wonderful time there. The activities carried out there are always varied and interesting for the children. I am most impressed with the amount of effort the staff input into this great nursery. They always go the extra mile. Christmas was made to be so
magical there.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are so pleased to hear how much your son enjoys his time at Oak Tree - the staff team really do go the extra mile to make every child's experience special at Oak Tree.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at the nursery are all very caring and friendly. My daughter has settled in very well considering she couldn't settle at a previous nursery. The activities and outside facilities are great for my daughter as talks about what she gets up to regularly and names the staff. She looks forward to
seeing. The meal times are varied in selection and this has definitely brought my daughter on leaps and bounds when eating at home. Her speech is also improving on a daily basis and I credit Oak Tree Nursery for this.

Reply from Stella Freebody at Oak Tree Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We so enjoy having your daughter in session with us and watching her flourish at Oak Tree. We are very glad she likes the food that is freshly prepared each day for our children - I'll be sure to let our cook know how much she enjoys her meals at Oak Tree.


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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.

Child Vacancies

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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.


Debbie

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.


Shelley

Shelley

Job Title: Early Years Educator

Joined: 2021

Early Years Educator


Holly

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


Georgina

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