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Little Ducklings Day Nursery and Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2023)
·
5.0(6 parent reviews) ·The Pavilion, Park Place, Beaconsfield, HP9 2FJ · Buckinghamshire
Number of places
29 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2023
Local authority
Buckinghamshire

About this day nursery

Little Ducklings Day Nursery and Preschool provides outstanding childcare with a "home-from-home" approach in two locations: Seer Green, Beaconsfield, and Farnham Royal, Slough. Established in 2019 by two experienced local childminders, the nursery has expanded from a childminding service to include an afterschool club and a small nursery, ensuring personalised care in a nurturing and homely environment.

The curriculum focuses on child-led learning, supported by staff observations and extensions, aiming for excellent progress in academic and social development. The nursery prioritises creating a language-rich environment through songs, books, and quality interactions.

They also emphasise strong parent partnerships, utilising the EYlog system for shared learning and communication. Little Ducklings incorporates a "Curiosity approach" and Montessori teaching, using natural resources to foster exploration, creativity, and independence.

Children engage in various stimulating activities, including cooking sessions, community visits, and active outdoor learning in a secure garden designed for physical development and environmental exploration.

Our ethos

Little Ducklings Day Nursery and Preschool adopts a "home-from-home" approach, championing a child-led learning philosophy complemented by the Curiosity Approach and Montessori teaching methods. They are committed to fostering exploration, creativity, and independence through natural resources and stimulating activities, while also prioritising strong parent partnerships and a language-rich environment.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and excited and confidently explore the environment and choose from a range of activities. Staff have high expectations and plan for children's needs and abilities, supporting them through planned and child-led activities that build on their interests. Children play alongside and together with peers, sharing ideas and building on their play.

Home-from-home settingChild-led learningMontessori-inspiredOutdoor learningCommunity visits

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

8am to 6pm, Mon to Fri

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Ducklings Day Nursery and Preschool

Last inspected 10 August 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 arrive happy and excited and confidently explore the environment and choose from a range of activities. Staff have high expectations and plan for children's needs and abilities, supporting them through planned and child-led activities that build on their interests. Children play alongside and together with peers, sharing ideas and building on their play.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers have regular supervisions with staff, helping to identify learning and development needs and supporting staff well-being.
  • Children's speech and language is supported well, with staff modelling good language and introducing new words.
  • Staff support children's physical development well, encouraging independent movement in younger children and teaching new physical skills to older children.
  • Staff support children to learn about their local community and the world around them, including links with a nursery in Africa and visits to a local allotment.
  • Children's independence is supported well, with children encouraged to feed themselves, clear their spaces, and self-serve food.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the opportunities to challenge children's thinking and encourage them to solve problems.
Inspection #10303154 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents praise the staff for the warm and caring environment that they provide for their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children make good individual progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work with other agencies and parents when needed, to ensure consistency for children. If required, children have individual support plans.

Outdoor space

Older children take part in planned activities to learn new physical skills. For example, children explore wooded areas, have weekly yoga sessions and take part in planned group physical activities. Older children independently change shoes to get ready for outdoor play.

Parent Reviews of Little Ducklings Day Nursery and Preschool

5.0
(6)
Lindsay Forbes
a year ago

My daughter has been at the nursery for nearly two years and we absolutely love it! The staff are fantastic and really care about the children. They put on so many fun activities - that go beyond what we were expecting - that our daughter loves and helps her to develop new skills. The setting is great with the nursery nestled between playing fields, an allotment and fields with horses which the children get to benefit from by spending a lot of time outdoors.

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Leanne Marlow
3 years ago

Both my girls have been at the nursery - one of them still is and they both love it. I genuinely feel like the staff there care about my daughter and she has so much fun there! I tell everyone how beautiful the setting and location is and I feel so so lucky that my daughter can visit the countryside and wildlife and animals everyday - it makes me smile just thinking about it!

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Fiona
a year ago

A beautiful setting. The most caring staff. So many fun activities both inside & outside. Both my daughters absolutely loved / love their time there. Thank you for being the best xxxxx

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Charlotte Antoniou
2 years ago

Little Ducklings is everything you want from a nursery. The setting is amazing, surrounded by fields and horses, they have their own allotment and have recently added forest school to the curriculum. It is owned by a mum in the village who recognised the local need and is run by the most fantastic Nursery Manager and team of caring women. There is a reason it has a waiting list! And don’t be put off by the google image modular building - it is SOOOOO much more than that!

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Michelle Hancox
3 years ago

We are so happy we chose Little Ducklings for our son and daughter. From babies to preparing them for school, they have developed and learnt so much there. The staff are so caring and supportive. It really is a home away from home for them. And we love the location with playing fields and woodlands right on its doorstep. We would highly recommend LD to anyone looking for a nursery in the area. Thank you to the team!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Ducklings Day Nursery and Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2023

  • September 2023Good
  • August 2023Good

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