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Little Bears Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2024)
·
4.9(9 parent reviews) ·Hill Farm House, 44 Old Groveway, Milton Keynes, MK6 3AA · Milton Keynes
Number of places
40 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2024
Local authority
Milton Keynes

About this day nursery

Little Bears Day Nursery & Pre-School, located in Milton Keynes, offers childcare and early years education in a beautifully adapted farmhouse. The nursery provides a secure, loving, and stimulating atmosphere where children aged 3 months to 5 years can play, learn, and grow.

With an OFSTED 'Good' rating from January 2024, the nursery focuses on encouraging each child's individual development through guided activities and a strong emphasis on their social and emotional needs. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and work in partnership with parents to ensure children gain the confidence and skills necessary for their future education.

Little Bears aims to be the top choice for families seeking accessible and affordable high-quality childcare in the area, offering a big welcome in a small, nurturing environment where every child is valued.

Our ethos

Little Bears Day Nursery & Pre-School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and focuses on guided activities to encourage individual development, with a strong emphasis on children's social and emotional needs. They aim to foster confidence and skills for future education in a secure, loving, and stimulating atmosphere, valuing each child.

What it's like

The provider demonstrates a deep understanding of various child development theories and curriculum approaches, which she integrates into a comprehensive curriculum with a strong emphasis on communication and language skills. Staff effectively implement these intentions, providing engaging experiences that significantly enhance children's ability to communicate and use language. Children show a strong sense of belonging, and the nursery fosters a warm, inviting, and homely atmosphere.

Homely farmhouse settingEYFS CurriculumOFSTED "Good" ratingForest School (mentioned as a menu item)

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2002

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Bears Day Nursery

Last inspected 31 January 2024

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

The provider demonstrates a deep understanding of various child development theories and curriculum approaches, which she integrates into a comprehensive curriculum with a strong emphasis on communication and language skills. Staff effectively implement these intentions, providing engaging experiences that significantly enhance children's ability to communicate and use language. Children show a strong sense of belonging, and the nursery fosters a warm, inviting, and homely atmosphere.

Inspector highlights

  • The curriculum has a strong focus on encouraging children to learn outdoors, with exciting opportunities like an indoor beach in the garden cabin.
  • The provider reviews and adapts the curriculum and environment to maintain children's interest, including a well-designed role-play area in the pre-school room.
  • Children concentrate and show excitement in their learning, growing and harvesting vegetables while learning about nature and decay.
  • Key-person relationships are effective in helping children settle, with regular information exchange between parents and staff.
  • Parents are highly valued as partners in children's learning with successful new ways of exchanging information introduced since the last inspection.

Areas to develop

  • 1encourage opportunities for children to think critically about their learning
  • 2expand the curriculum focus during all times of the day, including when children are waiting at mealtimes.
Inspection #10305188 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff effectively support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by quickly identifying developmental concerns and promptly creating support plans while seeking guidance from external professionals. As a result, all children, including those with SEND, make good progress in their learning at the nursery.

Outdoor space

The curriculum places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, offering a wealth of exciting opportunities for children when they choose to be outdoors. Staff have uniquely created a beach inside the garden cabin, which children of all ages enjoy for digging, exploring, and experiencing the sensation of sand on their skin.

Parent Reviews of Little Bears Day Nursery

4.9
(9)
Jodie Pocock
6 years ago

We found Little Bears Day Nursery by recommendation after moving to the area with our first child. We were completely impressed with the viewing as each staff member took an active interest in our daughter and interacted with her from that first time. The staff were so helpful with easing my first time parent nerves and our daughter settled beautifully. The nursery is a home away from home, and our daughter has grown substantially in confidence and ability. It is a really friendly setting and they always take the time to tell us about their day. Our daughter calls it "nursery home" and we have only ever felt comfortable with her being there. The staff go out of their way to make sure the children are supported - one of the great things is that all of the children eat breakfast and tea together. This has meant there has not been any disruption when the children move to the next room as they already know the staff and children. I would absolutely recommend to other parents!

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Hannah Newson
6 years ago

I cannot believe how amazing this nursey is. My baby is so loved and has advanced so much. They genuinely care about the children, they are constantly stimulated. Leaving my baby to go back to work full time is hard, it is really reassuring that she is in the care of little bears. She is encouraged to try to new experiences and new foods. There are always new themed learnings though play and music plus a lovely garden for them to play in. It is like her extended family. If you are looking for a place that will be warm, welcoming and homely, this is the right place for you.

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A Wang
7 years ago

Lovely nursery, well organised and loving caring staffs. My child love it and so do I.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Bears Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2011

  • January 2024Good
  • February 2018Good
  • June 2015Good
  • October 2011Good

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