Wroxham Road Norwich | Once upon a time nursery

This is our original day care nursery school that opened in September 2007. Julie recognised there was a lack of childcare provision in the area and wanted to create ‘a home from home’ that would be in the heart of the community. In 2015, it was rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, and we retained this rating in February 2020. The premises are a mixture of ‘old and new’. The old part of the property was built in the 1830’s when it was the Farmhouse to Sprowston Manor. The property was extended in the 1940’s, including what is now the babies play room.

When we bought the property in 2005, we extended the property to include the bulk of the nursery rooms. Everything was designed with the children in mind. From the low-level sinks to the high-level plug sockets!

We have a separate kitchen where fresh, hot food is prepared every day by our cook. Special dietary needs are catered for.

Our main outside play area is located at the front of the building. There is also a decked area for the babies and our ‘secret garden’ at the rear of the property.

The team use an online app called ‘Tapestry’ to record each child’s learning journal. Parents can log in whenever they wish to keep up to date with the activities their child has been doing at nursery, along with their developmental progress.

View Ofsted report

Meet the Manager

Becky Potter

BA (Hons)

After working closely with Julie for just over two years, as Deputy Nursery Manager, I became Nursery Manager in September 2020. I’m extremely proud to be leading an ‘Outstanding’ nursery. The early years for every child are so important, and a considerable amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure all the children are cared for learning through play in our homely, safe and stimulating nursery school.

I completed a BA (Hons) in Integrated Working with Children and their Families in the Early Years degree in 2019, following a Foundation Degree in Early Years Leadership in 2018. Prior to joining Once upon a time, I managed a pre-school for seven years.

I’m joined by a wonderful team of practitioners that plan and deliver an exciting range of activities for the children every day. I feel that parents can take huge comfort in knowing that we will always take that extra bit of responsibility and care. We set ourselves high standards in every aspect of what we do to make sure that every child, every parent and every member of staff is treated with dignity, respect and kindness.

Meet the Manager

Julie Banbury BA (Hons)

I’ve been the Nursery Manager here since we opened in 2007, and I’m very proud of what has been achieved. The early years for every child are so important, and a considerable amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure all the children are cared for learning through play in our homely, safe and stimulating nursery school.

Over the years, it has been quite overwhelming at the positive feedback we get from parents. This has helped build our excellent reputation within the community, and clearly demonstrates we’re doing a great job!

In 2018, Becky (below) joined as Deputy Nursery Manager and together we oversee a wonderful team of practitioners that plan and deliver an exciting range of activities for the children every day.

Being a family-run business, I feel that parents can take huge comfort in knowing that we will always take that extra bit of responsibility and care. We set ourselves high standards in every aspect of what we do to make sure that every child, every parent and every member of staff is treated with dignity, respect and kindness.

Meet the team

We’re lucky to have some fantastic people who bring the magic to life at Once upon a time. Each member of the team is a Key person to a small number of children. When your child starts nursery, they’ll be matched to one of the team who’ll help settle them into nursery, support their learning and development and be your main point of contact. Becky is joined by Katie, Deputy Nursery Manager and Room Manager, Maddie and Lucy, both Room Managers.