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Little Elms Daycare Crofton

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2023)
·
4.8(68 parent reviews) ·109a Crofton Road, ORPINGTON, BR6 8HU · Bromley
Number of places
95 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2023
Local authority
Bromley

About this day nursery

Little Elms Daycare Crofton, established in 2011, provides a nurturing childcare experience for children aged 0-4 years. Open all year round from 7:30 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, the nursery focuses on creating a stimulating environment where children can confidently make choices about their play, whether indoors or outdoors.

The dedicated staff encourage children to lead activities, fostering a "can-do" attitude and sparking imagination, such as creating "chocolate" recipes in the mud and sand play areas. The curriculum is thoughtfully planned, building on children's interests and prior knowledge to offer challenging opportunities, like learning about planets, which helps expand their vocabulary and understanding through engaging conversations.

The nursery places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with children spending ample time in the fresh air, scooping mud, climbing on a pirate ship, and completing an assault course to develop physical activity. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported, with staff identifying developmental gaps and planning targeted activities in collaboration with external agencies to ensure expert support.

Parents consistently express happiness with the care their children receive, highlighting staff as nurturing, caring, and supportive, and noting their children's progress in social and physical development. Communication with staff is valued, helping parents to reinforce developmental milestones at home.

This commitment to a well-rounded and supportive environment contributes to the nursery's "Good" Ofsted rating from its latest inspection on 25/10/2023.

What it's like

Children are confident and make choices about their play, including whether to be indoors or outdoors. Staff encourage them to lead activities, fostering a "can-do" attitude and imagination, such as creating "chocolate" recipes in the mud and sand. Children also develop a positive attitude towards learning due to challenging opportunities, like learning about planets, which expands their vocabulary and understanding through engaging conversations.

Confident choicesImaginative playOutdoor learningSequenced curriculumSEND supportNurturing staff

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2011

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Elms Daycare Crofton

Last inspected 25 October 2023 · Kate Daurge

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 are confident and make choices about their play, including whether to be indoors or outdoors. Staff encourage them to lead activities, fostering a "can-do" attitude and imagination, such as creating "chocolate" recipes in the mud and sand. Children also develop a positive attitude towards learning due to challenging opportunities, like learning about planets, which expands their vocabulary and understanding through engaging conversations.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager and staff create a clearly sequenced curriculum, supporting children to reach developmental milestones.
  • Staff effectively identify what children know and can do, planning challenging activities that build on their starting points.
  • Staff understand that some children need additional support, identifying gaps and planning targeted activities with external agencies.
  • Staff interact positively with children, introducing new vocabulary throughout the day.
  • Managers reflect on their practice, conducting regular supervisions and supporting staff development through training opportunities.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen how staff promote children's independence and teach children to do things for themselves
  • 2support staff to enhance children's speaking skills to the highest level across the nursery
Inspection #10308356 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are happy with the care that their children receive at the nursery. They say that staff are nurturing, caring and supportive. Parents report that their children make progress in their social and physical development. They comment that communication with staff helps them to work on their children's developmental milestones at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff understand that some children need additional support with their learning. They identify gaps in children's development and plan activities to target specific knowledge and skills. Staff work effectively with external agencies to provide children with expert support. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported.

Outdoor space

Children spend lots of time outside in the fresh air. Staff encourage children to be physically active as they scoop mud. Children climb on the pirate ship and complete an assault course.

Parent Reviews of Little Elms Daycare Crofton

4.8
(68)
Sian Stanhope
3 months ago

My son has been attending Little Elms since June 2025, and I honestly couldn't ask for a better nursery for him. Like many parents, I felt nervous about returning to work, but the staff were incredibly supportive and reassuring from the very beginning, which made such a difference. I really value the daily feedback and observations about what he's been doing, as well as the conversations with staff at the end of the day - it's lovely to feel so involved. My son is always happy and settled, and it's clear how much effort and care goes into planning engaging activities for the children. Little Elms truly feels like a safe, warm, home-from-home environment, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any parent looking for high-quality care for their child.

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Milan Doshi
3 months ago

We feel truly blessed having our Son at this Nursery! all the staff members are very welcoming, kind and sincerely care about the kids well-being, growth & development. They are very accommodating in providing adhoc sessions when needed and are a big help to working parents! Our son loves being at the nursery and he looks forward to go to nursery each day..A Big Thank You to all the staff members who genuinely look after our son and all other kids.

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Neelankshi Gupta
3 months ago

My son joined at 11.5 months in Bluebirds room. The staff has been super supportive and he absolutely enjoys there. Thanks to everyone at Little Elms for giving my son such a pleasant experience.

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Mics WG
3 months ago

My son has been attending for a few months now, and can honestly say this is one of the best nurseries I've viewed, and sent my children to. All the staff are great, and my son's keyworker is so lovely. Really great team!

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Rachel Allen
6 years ago

My two children have been attending Little Elms Crofton since August 2018 and really enjoy going to nursery now. In addition to the children being happy here, I also really like the transparency of the staff and how involved you are made to feel as a parent. Their weekly updates and offer of extra sessions are really helpful. It's lovely to be able to attend parents evenings at a time that's convenient for a working parent too and I really appreciate that. The staff are all very approachable and clearly very fond of the children they take care of. I would definitely recommend Little Elms to other prospective parents.

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Inspection history

Date: February 2012

  • October 2023Good
  • March 2018Good
  • May 2014Good
  • February 2012Outstanding

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