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Little Alpacas

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2023)
·
5.0(1 parent reviews) ·Scamhazel Farm, Ashby Road, Swadlincote, DE11 7BA · Derbyshire
Number of places
40 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
Derbyshire

About this day nursery

Little Alpacas, situated on a sprawling 110-acre farm, offers a vibrant and stimulating pre-school environment for children aged 3 months to 4 years. Nestled on the Leicestershire and Derbyshire border, on the outskirts of Ashby-De-La-Zouch, the nursery provides a unique outdoor learning experience, allowing children to engage with woodlands, a pond area, and a variety of friendly farm animals, including alpacas, horses, donkeys, sheep, pigs, chickens, and cats.

The curriculum is designed to foster confidence and learning through structured play and activities aligned with early years learning goals. Little Alpacas aims to cultivate a happy, nurturing, and secure atmosphere where each child is valued and encouraged to develop as an individual.

The setting emphasises play-based learning and gentle guidance to help children make significant strides in their development. The nursery is open year-round, closing only for bank holidays and a two-week Christmas period, and offers settling-in sessions to ensure a smooth transition for new children.

Our ethos

Little Alpacas offers a unique outdoor learning experience, emphasising play-based learning and gentle guidance to foster confidence and development. The nursery aims to provide a happy, nurturing, and secure atmosphere where each child is valued and encouraged to develop as an individual, aligning activities with early years learning goals.

What it's like

Children are developing a keen interest in the natural world, enjoying daily walks around the farm where the pre-school is located. Staff introduce new information to children, for example, explaining why a farm worker is spraying a donkey's ears and discussing how horses keep flies away. While on walks, staff encourage children to remember rules that keep them safe on the farm.

Farm-based learningOutdoor playAnimal interactionPlay-based learning

Pricing & funding

This preschool charges flat rates per session, offering breakfast club, morning, afternoon, school day, after-school, and full-day sessions. Invoices are issued monthly and fees remain payable during absences.

Good to know

  • Invoices are sent at the start of each month and must be paid by the 7th of that month.
  • Fees remain payable if your child is absent.
  • A £50 registration fee is required for non-funded children to secure a place.

Key facts

Session types

Morning Sessions, Afternoon Sessions, School Day Sessions, Full Day Sessions, Pre school Breakfast Club, After school Sessions

Opening hours

Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:00pm

Age range

3 months - 4 years old

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Alpacas

Last inspected 8 September 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are developing a keen interest in the natural world, enjoying daily walks around the farm where the pre-school is located. Staff introduce new information to children, for example, explaining why a farm worker is spraying a donkey's ears and discussing how horses keep flies away. While on walks, staff encourage children to remember rules that keep them safe on the farm.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff get to know the children in their care well and use this information to plan for their next steps in learning.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well through targeted support.
  • Staff are consistent in using praise and encouragement to effectively support children's good behaviour.
  • Staff promote children's communication and language well by asking questions to gain information about their prior knowledge and understanding.
  • Staff support children to develop good hygiene practices and provide opportunities for them to develop creative skills.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the induction arrangements to ensure that staff that are new to the pre-school understand their roles and responsibilities
  • 2engage children more effectively in conversations and extend their communication and language skills further.
Inspection #10307430 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that their children enjoy attending the pre-school.

They value the friendly staff and say that they are confident that their children are happy, safe and well cared for.

Parents comment that they are very well informed about the time their child spends at the pre-school and how their child is developing.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to provide targeted support that helps individual children make progress.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy going on daily walks around the farm, where the pre-school is located, to see the different animals and insects. Staff encourage the children to share what they know about the animals and insects, and to remember rules that are in place to help keep them safe on the farm.

Parent Reviews of Little Alpacas

5.0
(1)

Reviews from Google for Little Alpacas. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: September 2023

  • October 2023Good
  • September 2023Good

Frequently asked about Little Alpacas

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