Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm

About this day nursery

Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm, established in 2024, operates from West Hill, near Ottery St Mary in Devon, offering childcare for children aged 0-4 years. 30pm, Monday to Friday.

The setting provides a welcoming environment where children settle quickly, supported by staff who get to know them before they start and follow their routines. Staff offer comfort and reassurance to new children, fostering strong bonds and emotional well-being.

The curriculum focuses on developing children's independence, encouraging them to manage tasks such as putting on welly boots and waterproofs, and serving themselves at mealtimes. This approach helps children build self-care skills.

Children benefit significantly from outdoor learning opportunities on the farm and in private woods, where they spend most of their day. This environment promotes physical development and a motivation to explore, with activities like climbing over logs and building dens.

While staff are dedicated to improving the provision and know the children well, the latest inspection on 1st October 2024, which rated the nursery as 'Good', noted areas for development. Specifically, staff do not always consistently use their knowledge of quieter children to extend their communication skills, and transition times are not always organised effectively, leading to some children becoming restless.

However, staff effectively support children's love of reading and vocabulary development, and work closely with local teachers to prepare children for school, focusing on social skills and listening. There is a strong emphasis on caring and respectful attitudes, evidenced by children learning to look after farm animals, and showing kindness to one another.

The nursery maintains effective partnerships with parents, sharing daily updates and ideas for home learning, ensuring parents are well-informed about their child's progress.

What it's like

Children arrive happily and settle quickly in the welcoming nursery. Staff get to know children before they start and work hard to follow children's routines. They offer cuddles and reassurance to those who are new to the nursery to help them feel safe and secure. Leaders and staff have created a curriculum that focuses on children developing their independence, inspiring them to do things for themselves.