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Little Earthworms

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2024)
·
5.0(15 Google reviews) ·387 Ditchling Road, BRIGHTON, BN1 6NF · Brighton and Hove
Number of places
45 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2024
Local authority
Brighton and Hove

About this day nursery

Little Earthworms in Brighton is an eco-friendly nursery led by a highly experienced and caring management team. Tanya Doci, with over 26 years in early years childcare and nursery management since 2015, leads the team.

She is supported by two deputies, Lydia, who has eight years of management experience, and Naomi, who brings 12 years of leadership expertise. Together, they boast over 30 years of nursery management experience, ensuring a high-quality, nurturing environment where children, families, and staff can thrive.

The day nursery's vision is centred on making learning fun, believing that this approach fosters a lifelong love for learning in children. They emphasise that fun and learning should always coexist, taking 'fun' seriously as a core part of their educational approach.

Little Earthworms offers flexible funding options for families, including a consumable charge that covers meals, activities, and resources like nappies and sun cream, with an opt-out option for families who wish to provide their own items and receive term-time only sessions.

Our ethos

Our vision is as unique as it is simple: We want children to see learning as fun—now and forever! At Little Earth Worms, we strongly believe that fun and learning should coexist. Because when learning is fun, the child develops a lifelong love of learning!

What it's like

Staff prioritise children's emotional well-being at this welcoming nursery. Children build strong bonds with staff, which helps all children, including babies, to settle well and feel safe and secure. Staff get to know children well, valuing each child's unique background and individual needs, and quickly recognise when to adapt the day.

Eco-friendly nurseryExperienced management teamFun-focused learningFlexible funding options

Pricing & funding

This nursery charges a consumable fee for funded sessions to cover meals, snacks, and essentials. The charge is billed per half-day session.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Consumable charge applies to half-day funded sessions.
  • Fees include breakfast, lunch, tea, fruit, and snacks.
  • Nappies, wipes, sun cream, resources, and activities are included in the charge.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Earthworms

Last inspected 15 July 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

Staff prioritise children's emotional well-being at this welcoming nursery. Children build strong bonds with staff, which helps all children, including babies, to settle well and feel safe and secure. Staff get to know children well, valuing each child's unique background and individual needs, and quickly recognise when to adapt the day.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers have taken swift and effective steps to make improvements since the last inspection, putting in place rigorous systems to ensure everyone is aware of any staff still waiting for their suitability checks and understand the arrangements to monitor them.
  • Staff receive effective coaching and support to develop their practice where required, and those who are less experienced benefit from the guidance of their colleagues.
  • Managers have a clear overview of the skills and knowledge they want children to gain during their time at the nursery, and make sure staff also have a good understanding of these aims.
  • Stories and songs are an important part of each day at the nursery, and staff use these well, for instance, to support and extend children's communication and language skills.
  • Staff are skilled at responding to children's ideas and interests during their free-choice play, and partnerships with parents are strong.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to gain a more consistent understanding of the link between planned activities and the next steps for individual children's learning
  • 2strengthen the planning of adult-led group activities to help all children fully benefit from the learning opportunities offered during these sessions.
Inspection #10340751 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff use agreed strategies throughout the day to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can take part, such as using simple sign language or picture cards to help them make choices. The arrangements for supporting children with SEND are effective. Staff put appropriate individual plans in place to meet children's needs, and additional staff are available to support children where possible.

Outdoor space

Children have a wonderful time in the garden and staff follow their interests particularly well outside. When children want to make mud cakes, staff help them find the equipment they need. Children confidently help pour out compost from a large bag and fill containers with water so they can turn the soil into mud.

Google Reviews of Little Earthworms

5.0
(15 Google reviews)
Amy Wright
6 months ago

My daughter has been there since she was 8 months old so she has been in both the baby room and the toddler room and I couldn't have asked for a better nursery. The staff are always kind, welcoming and supportive. My daughter loves going to nursery so much she asks about it all weekend. It feels like a real community and she leaves everyday with a smile on her face and lots to talk about including all of her friends and fun at forest school. We have never had any concerns or issues.

Read on Google
Kelly Stockinger
6 months ago

Little Earthworms has been a fantastic support to our family over the years. My eldest daughter recently left to start school and was incredibly well prepared, thanks to the wonderful team. My middle daughter, who will soon turn three, started in the baby room at just nine months old and absolutely loves coming to nursery — so much so that she barely looks back to say goodbye in the mornings! The nursery offers a wide range of engaging activities that nurture the children’s development and make learning fun. All the staff are caring, nurturing, and truly dedicated, and I always feel confident that my children are in the best hands. In just a few weeks, my youngest will be starting in the baby room, and I have every confidence she’ll thrive under the care of Gracie, Libby, and the team. Thank you for giving parents such peace of mind and creating such a wonderful environment for our children to grow and learn.

Read on Google
aurelia Chirosca
6 months ago

Great nursery – my son absolutely loves it there! He settled in so seamlessly, and the staff made the transition effortless. There are so many engaging activities, and the outdoor play opportunities are a real bonus. Highly recommended!

Read on Google
Katy Blatch-Smith
a year ago

We have had two children attend Little Earthworms - my youngest is still there. It is a warm, inclusive, friendly and caring nursery. Both my children loved/love attending and have made great progress. The staff are very caring and friendly and really know the children well. They have a fantastic outside space and my son loves to spend a lot of the day outside. The staff create excellent activities for the children. My son has had a successful start to school and this is due to the preparation work done at Little Earthworms.

Read on Google
Kerry Larby
a year ago

This has been a fantastic nursery for my Twins, they have loved being here, both in the under 2's and over 2's. As a first time mum of twins who had dietary needs to be accommodated and my anxiety as a new mum to settle the team at Little Earthworms have been fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. They have thrived since being in the toddler room and the mix of activities has been great for them. They love coming to see their friends and the staff.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Earthworms. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2024

Date: June 2010

  • July 2024Good
  • March 2024Inadequate
  • May 2018Good
  • October 2015Good
  • June 2010Outstanding

Frequently asked about Little Earthworms

About the setting

Little Earthworms registered in 2010. It is located in Brighton, East Sussex. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 14 staff who work at the nursery. Of these, 11 hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or above.

URN
EY402775
Registered person
Little Earth Worms Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Inadequate

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