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Little Fishes Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2024)
·
4.8(24 Google reviews) ·East Lodge, Milton Hill, Abingdon, OX13 6BD · Oxfordshire
Number of places
42 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2024
Local authority
Oxfordshire

About this day nursery

Little Fishes Nursery, established in 2023, provides childcare for children aged 0-4 years. 30 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, this Abingdon-based setting offers a nurturing environment where staff prioritise making children feel settled and secure.

The Ofsted report, dated 20/11/2024, recognises the day nursery as 'Good', highlighting the strong understanding staff have of individual children's needs. Children are supported in developing their independence, from babies learning to feed themselves to pre-schoolers helping to clear plates.

The curriculum promotes learning through engaging activities, including spontaneous outdoor explorations, such as observing ice melting, which sparks curiosity. Staff are proactive in identifying and addressing any additional learning needs, working closely with parents and external professionals to develop individual support plans.

They effectively use any additional funding to ensure each child progresses well from their starting points. Parents commend the 'lovely, welcoming staff' and describe the day nursery as a 'home from home', where their children are 'thriving'.

Leadership is committed to staff well-being, providing a dedicated space for mindfulness and supporting professional development, which in turn enhances the quality of care and education provided.

What it's like

Staff support children to feel settled and secure, understanding their individual needs and offering cuddles and reassurance. They effectively use praise and appropriate behaviour management, fostering children's confidence and understanding of rules. Children develop independence, enjoy diverse activities, and staff closely monitor their learning to ensure good progress from their starting points.

Strong parent partnershipsIndividualised learningPromotes independenceNurturing environmentDedicated staff well-beingOutdoor exploration

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Fishes Nursery

Last inspected 20 November 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff support children to feel settled and secure, understanding their individual needs and offering cuddles and reassurance. They effectively use praise and appropriate behaviour management, fostering children's confidence and understanding of rules. Children develop independence, enjoy diverse activities, and staff closely monitor their learning to ensure good progress from their starting points.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders have made effective improvements since the last inspection, particularly in staffing and staff's teaching skills.
  • Staff promote children's learning and progress through engaging activities and play experiences, utilising spontaneous events like observing ice melting.
  • Staff are proactive in addressing learning gaps by consulting parents and outside professionals.
  • Leaders prioritise staff well-being, providing a dedicated space for mindfulness and supporting professional development.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong, with daily feedback and an online app keeping them informed about their children's progress.

Areas to develop

  • 1enhance the overall good support for children's communication and language development, to help children to process information and build on their understanding
  • 2develop the daily routines so that these meet children's needs more consistently.
Inspection #10327220 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff identify if children need any additional help and put in place plans to support children's individual learning needs. They speak to parents, and when needed, they contact outside professionals for advice and guidance. They work closely with any professionals involved and parents to agree and plan the support children need to help them progress. Staff work with parents about the use of any additional funding to identify how best to support children's individual needs.

Outdoor space

Staff used spontaneous events to support children's learning when ice formed in a tray outside. Children demonstrated high levels of interest as they observed how the ice melted and changed from one large piece into many smaller pieces.

Google Reviews of Little Fishes Nursery

4.8
(24 Google reviews)
Oluwasanmi Rotimi
10 months ago

Little Fishes has been absolutely wonderful for our daughter. She’s always happy and excited to go in, and it’s clear she feels safe, engaged, and well cared for. The staff are friendly, warm, and genuinely invested in the children. There’s a great mix of fun and learning, and she always comes home full of stories about what she’s done. Communication is excellent — we get regular updates about her day, which gives us real peace of mind. Highly recommend!

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Natalie
a year ago

We’ve had an incredible experience with Little Fishes over the last 1.5 years. The staff are warm, welcoming, and really care about the children's growth and well-being. The setting is safe, clean, and filled with engaging activities that promote learning and creativity. Although it’s a nursery it still has that home from home feeling. My child has blossomed under their care, and it's evident that they are not only teaching valuable skills but also nurturing emotional development. I highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a loving, supportive place for their little one to thrive!

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Kate Gee
a year ago

Our little girl has been attending Little Fishes for just over a year now. From the beginning, all the staff have been so kind and caring towards her which helped her settle quickly. We’ve seen her confidence grow & she is always so excited to go to nursery. She loves coming home and telling us all about her day, what she’s eaten & the activities she’s done that day and how the staff have made her laugh that day. Tally & the team have always been so friendly and truly go above and beyond to care for the children. If I’ve ever raised a concern, I’ve been listened to and the issue has been quickly resolved. Our baby boy is due to start in a few months and I know he’ll thrive just like our daughter :-)

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Leah Pearcy
a year ago

My Daughter absolutely loves Little Fishes Nursery! She loves the staff and the children she attends with. My daughter went through a clingy phase when first starting and Tally and her team were incredible when it came to encouraging my daughter, comforting her, reassuring us and gave us thorough updates! I feel like my daughter is so well cared for and thriving at Little Fishes Nursery! Best decision we made and can’t wait to extend her hours in September 😍

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Hannah Richardson
a year ago

My little boy has been attending this nursery since January. They made the transition so easy for him and he loves going. The staff are so friendly and approachable which made me feel more comfortable in the beginning leaving him. They’re always doing fun and educational activities and I love hearing about his day when I pick him up. They provide delicious nutritional food that’s home made that my little one always seems to have second helpings of 😋 Me and my partner are very happy with the nursery and would recommend to everyone.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Fishes Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2024

Date: January 2024

  • November 2024Good
  • January 2024Requires improvement

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