Little Crickets Day Care provides high-quality childcare and education for children aged 3 months to 5 years, focusing on a stimulating and nurturing environment. The nursery prides itself on exceeding EYFS framework requirements, ensuring children thrive in a safe and supportive setting.
They implement a robust safeguarding policy with rigorous staff recruitment and continuous training, along with a comprehensive health and safety protocol including regular risk assessments and first aid training. A key person approach ensures consistent care and strong bonds, with dedicated staff providing feedback and hosting parent consultations.
The nursery offers flexible hours for parents and prioritises outdoor play, utilising a large outdoor space for learning and development. Meals are freshly prepared on-site by a professional chef, adhering to a sugar-free, nut-free, and egg-free policy to accommodate various dietary needs and allergies.
Little Crickets is situated at the base of Alexandra Palace, offering excellent parking and convenient access to public transport.
What it's like
Children are keen to take part as they confidently explore the well-resourced indoor and outdoor play areas. Staff purposefully engage children in meaningful conversations to maximise learning, and children are successful communicators, confidently expressing their thoughts and ideas.
Fees are charged for absences and sickness, but bank holidays are free of charge. Discounts are available on nursery and food fees when sufficient written notice of absence is provided. A late pickup fee is charged per minute.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Food
Meals are freshly prepared daily on-site by a professional chef. The nursery is sugar-free, nut-free, and egg-free due to severe allergies. Families can subscribe to nursery meals or provide a packed lunch (nut-free and egg-free, no unhealthy or high-sugar foods).
Opening hours
8am to 6pm, all year round
Age range
3 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
flexible hours
Established
2017
Last inspected 25 May 2023
What it's like to attend
Children are keen to take part as they confidently explore the well-resourced indoor and outdoor play areas. Staff purposefully engage children in meaningful conversations to maximise learning, and children are successful communicators, confidently expressing their thoughts and ideas.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents appreciate daily feedback about their children's progress.
They say that staff work in partnership with them to detail any potential gaps in learning and help them to seek additional support if required.
They express they appreciate that swift action is taken if they have any requests, and if they would like additional opportunity to come into nursery to see their children in the setting more frequently.
Inclusion & environment
The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENCo) works closely with staff to identify children's specific needs. Together they work in collaboration with parents and external agencies to plan targeted support. Staff are supported in this approach to have a high expectation of what children can achieve. Children benefit from one-to-one care and support from staff, who understand children's individual needs well.
Children thoroughly enjoy being outdoors. They move freely around the large spaces provided and demonstrate a wide variety of physical skills, practising their balance and coordination as they run, climb, manoeuvre ride-on toys, and steady themselves along different climbing apparatus.
Both my children have now ‘graduated’ from little crickets and I have such praise for this little, nurturing nursery. My children attended from 8 months old until 3.5 years old and made their way through the 3 classes. I never felt anxious leaving my babies in the ant room and absolutely trusted the staff in this room to care for and make the best decisions for my children. As they progressed through the nursery they were well lead through play based learning and my key person was as excited as our family was when milestones were achieved. Two of the greatest features of this nursery: - it’s location. Set back from the road and surrounded by green space. No air pollution from idling cars and plenty of space to run & explore. - it’s staff. There is a low turn over of staff and the teachers are clearly invested in each child’s achievements according to their ability. It was lovely for my daughter to have the same teachers who knew my son well from 2 years before.
Read on Google
I can’t recommend Little Crickets enough! The staff is so caring and lovely, making this nursery a true ‘home away from home’ for my son - from the time he started at 6 months old, until we moved abroad 3 years later. But the warm atmosphere isn’t the only great thing about Little Crickets: the greenery surrounding the nursery is second to none for London and they have an excellent learning focus and great nutritious food served daily. Just a wonderful place, thank you all for your wonderful care!
Read on Google
I could not recommend Little Cricket enough. This review is just one way for me to thank for all they have done for my boys. I've sent both my two boys and they flourished there. We had a negative experience with another nursery before and we got lucky to find this hidden gem. It has everything that you might possibly want from a nursery: - an inspiring manager that embodies "love for the kids" - strong room leaders with generally long tenures - loving staff - loads of green space thanks to the nearby cricket field - if any issue arises they will listen to you and will do anything to sort it out - a daily update with the activities they have done - good meals and good food - A joyful learning environment - cherry on the cake: 50% discount when you are on holiday to help you fund your holidays. It's a special place. When we moved we had an opportunity to get a closer nursery and we never even considered such possibility. It's so good that it's worth any extra mile. I have not only met one parent in the last four years with a negative experience. It was mainly a part time parent complaining that most of the activities are done in the morning when he/she was not at nursery. I would give it six stars if I could as it goes beyond what I possibly expected.
Read on Google
We’ve had such a positive experience with Little Crickets Day Care. The staff are warm, caring, and professional, and they always make sure the children feel safe and happy. The environment is bright, clean, and well-equipped with toys and learning resources. I have both my children and they love it.
Read on Google
Little Cricket Day Care Centre seems an excellent centre - purely from a non-partcipating neighbour's perspective. Well protected in a beautiful environment, and the kids always seem to be happily participating in events here.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Little Crickets. See all on Google Maps
Date: February 2019
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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
