Cottontails Preschool food hygiene rating
School/college/university · South Cambridgeshire
Cottontails Preschool holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the school kitchen met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 14 October 2025, 8 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 68 Water Lane, Oakington and Westwick, CB24 3AL
How it compares in South Cambridgeshire
That puts Cottontails Preschool among the 1,063 places in South Cambridgeshire holding top marks, 87% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,063 | 87% | ← Cottontails Preschool | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 120 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 26 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 5 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 5 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 95 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety Good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Cottontails Preschool none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Cottontails Preschool, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Histon Hog Roast Other catering premises | 196 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 December 2025 |
| Blue Barrel Cider Manufacturers/packers | 280 yards away | 5 - Very good | 7 July 2023 |
| Nisa Local Retailers - other | 424 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 July 2025 |
| Cakes by Emma Other catering premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 December 2023 |
| Tom's Kitchen Other catering premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 September 2024 |
| Churros Bar Mobile caterer | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 October 2023 |
| Olive Tree Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 April 2025 |
| Busy Bees Caring Premises | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 January 2025 |
Questions about Cottontails Preschool
What is Cottontails Preschool's food hygiene rating?
Cottontails Preschool has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by South Cambridgeshire Council on 14 October 2025.
Is Cottontails Preschool safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this school kitchen to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Cottontails Preschool last inspected?
Cottontails Preschool was last inspected on 14 October 2025, 8 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by South Cambridgeshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Cottontails Preschool?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Cottontails Preschool compare to other places in South Cambridgeshire?
87% of the 1,221 rated food businesses in South Cambridgeshire hold the top rating of 5, and Cottontails Preschool is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
South Cambridgeshire Council inspects Cottontails Preschool and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Cottontails Preschool and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
South Cambridgeshire inspects and rates 1,316 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in South Cambridgeshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.scambs.gov.uk/
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →