Session types
Morning Session, Morning and Lunch, Full Day Session
Little Bears Pre-School, established in 1974, provides a nurturing environment for children aged 2-4 years in Devises. Originally named New Baptist Playgroup, it relocated to a purpose-built facility within Nursteed Community Primary School in 2009, offering access to school amenities and secure outdoor spaces.
The pre-school prioritises a child-centred approach, fostering learning through play and encouraging exploration, creativity, and independence. Their dedicated team, all qualified in paediatric first aid, safeguarding, food hygiene, and allergy awareness, are committed to providing tailored learning experiences that enable each child to reach their full potential, socially, emotionally, and academically.
Little Bears Pre-School maintains strong partnerships with parents and the local community, and works with external agencies to enhance outcomes for children. Recognised with an "Ofsted Good" rating in May 2023 and a Wiltshire Early Years Reading Award, Little Bears is also a registered charity.
Our ethos
We believe every child deserves the best possible start in life, and understand the crucial role these early years play in shaping a child’s future. Our dedicated team is committed to fostering a space where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is nurtured and individuality is embraced. We strive to create an atmosphere where children feel valued, empowered and motivated to explore, learn and grow. By providing these foundations and tailored learning experiences, we aim to ensure each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential and thrive socially, emotionally and academically, setting the groundwork for a future filled with success and endless possibilities.
What it's like
Children confidently separate from their parents/carers and eagerly enter the pre-school, showing a positive attitude towards their learning and engaging in play. Staff welcome children warmly and have conversations with them about their family lives, showing they know the children well. Children have formed secure attachments with staff and feel safe and secure, joining in group times and confidently expressing their wishes.
Fees are charged at an hourly rate and billed termly, with sessions offered as mornings, extended mornings including lunchtime, or full days. An optional snack charge applies per session. Government funding is accepted for eligible two, three, and four-year-olds for up to 38 weeks of the year.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Session types
Morning Session, Morning and Lunch, Full Day Session
Opening hours
Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm
Age range
2-4 year olds
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
2016
Last inspected 23 May 2023 · Charlotte Jenkin
What it's like to attend
Children confidently separate from their parents/carers and eagerly enter the pre-school, showing a positive attitude towards their learning and engaging in play. Staff welcome children warmly and have conversations with them about their family lives, showing they know the children well. Children have formed secure attachments with staff and feel safe and secure, joining in group times and confidently expressing their wishes.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents and carers express how happy they are with the progress their children are making at pre-school. They say that their children have made particularly good progress in speech and language and in their social skills with other children, which they were behind in following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents and carers know what their children need to learn next and are pleased with any specialist support staff have sought for their children to help them catch up.
Inclusion & environment
Staff are quick to seek additional support for those children who may be behind in their development. The manager uses additional funding well to target support for children, such as introducing yoga techniques to help them feel calm and investing in books to help them understand their feelings. Parents are pleased with any specialist support staff have sought for their children to help them catch up. However, the curriculum does not always sufficiently focus on the key areas some children with special educational needs and/or disabilities need to learn next to close gaps in learning as quickly as possible.
Children have plenty of opportunities to be outside and in the fresh air. They develop their balancing skills and coordination and negotiate space well. Staff take the children to the conservation area for more active play, such as running around. Children learn the importance of keeping themselves healthy, knowing they need to wear hats and put on sun cream when it is sunny outside. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and the impact this was having on children's learning.
Reviews from Google for Little Bears Pre School. See all on Google Maps
Date: October 2018
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Bears Pre School.
Devizes · SN10 5AB
Devizes · SN10 2FH
Devizes · SN10 5EF
Devizes · SN10 2LT
Devizes · SN10 2ND
Devizes · SN10 4RA
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more