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Little Diggers Montessori in Chichester (PO20 7NL)

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2022)
·Sidlesham Cp School, Keynor Lane, Chichester, PO20 7NL · West Sussex
Number of places
45 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2022
Local authority
West Sussex

About this day nursery

Little Diggers Montessori is a group of nurseries in Chichester that champion the Montessori philosophy and integrate it with a strong focus on nature and outdoor learning. Their approach centres on fostering children's natural curiosity and desire to explore, providing ample green spaces, woodlands, edible gardens, and even onsite animals for children to interact with.

They believe in creating a generation connected to nature, offering a rich environment for learning and discovery, even in challenging weather conditions. The nurseries operate with a team of qualified Early Years Specialists and degree-level Qualified Teachers, aiming to cultivate happy, healthy, creative, and critical thinkers who are resilient and develop a lifelong love for learning.

They offer various provisions across their different locations, catering to a range of ages from 3 months to 8 years, with some settings operating year-round and others term-time only, and all embracing their unique blend of Montessori education and Forest School ethos.

Our ethos

Little Diggers Montessori champions the Montessori philosophy, integrating it with a strong focus on nature and outdoor learning. Their child-led approach fosters natural curiosity through exploration of green spaces, woodlands, gardens, and animal interaction, aiming to cultivate resilient, lifelong learners connected to nature.

What it's like

As children arrive at the nursery, they are welcomed warmly by enthusiastic and attentive practitioners. Babies and young children build close and nurturing relationships with their key person, as they seek them out for cuddles, smiles and reassurance when they need to. Children feel safe and secure and are excited to get involved with activities.

Montessori ApproachForest SchoolOutdoor LearningAll-Year & Term-Time OptionsHighly Qualified Staff

Pricing & funding

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

Bosham: 7:30am-6pm (all year round); Sidlesham: 8am-6pm (all year round); Itchenor: 8am-4pm (term-time only)

Session types

Full day, Breakfast Club, After School Club

Age range

3 months to 8 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Diggers Montessori

Last inspected 24 October 2022

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

As children arrive at the nursery, they are welcomed warmly by enthusiastic and attentive practitioners. Babies and young children build close and nurturing relationships with their key person, as they seek them out for cuddles, smiles and reassurance when they need to. Children feel safe and secure and are excited to get involved with activities.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers create an ambitious curriculum that intends to challenge and motivate children in their learning.
  • Parents share that their children are happy and settled at the nursery, and they are pleased with the excellent communication they receive.
  • Children are fully supported in developing a love of reading, with a local library bus visiting and a lending library to encourage reading at home.
  • Practitioners have a good understanding of how to enhance children's learning and monitor their progress effectively, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Managers are highly aware of how to support practitioners, providing regular supervisions and access to a wide range of purposeful training.

Areas to develop

  • 1consider how to support practitioners in implementing the behavioural expectations of the nursery more consistently
  • 2strengthen the teaching of mathematics outdoors, so that all children have access to a wide range of high-quality learning opportunities that support their developing understanding of numbers and other mathematical concepts.
Inspection #10250959 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents share that their children are happy and settled at the nursery.

They explain how pleased they are with the excellent communication they receive about their child's progress and future learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Practitioners have a good understanding of how to enhance children's learning and monitor their progress effectively. They have a clear knowledge of how to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Practitioners and managers liaise with other agencies, such as the local speech and language team. Through all of this, children are supported in achieving the best possible outcomes.

Outdoor space

In the forest area, children are developing good physical skills. They run, jump and splash in muddy puddles with excited delight. Children explore with tools and write with sticks in the mud.

Inspection history

Date: October 2022

  • November 2022Good
  • October 2022Good

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