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Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2024)
·
5.0(5 parent reviews) ·West Cross, Caen Street, Braunton, EX33 1AQ · Devon
Number of places
24 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2024
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery in Braunton, Devon, provides flexible and nurturing childcare for children aged from birth to 5 years. They are open 51 weeks a year, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.

The nursery offers a stimulating environment with a variety of facilities, including a unique soft-play structure, role-play area, cosy book corners, sleep room, computer station, designated baby zone, and a sensory room. The outdoor area provides all-weather play, sand and water activities, a planting area, and a sensory herb garden, encouraging observation of birds and wildlife.

Little Fishes emphasises play-based care and education, with a strong focus on both indoor and outdoor learning, incorporating "risky play" in a carefully structured setting. They aim to foster creative, confident, and enthusiastic learners, working with families to provide a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

The nursery also offers unique experiences such as visits to a local care home, trips to Croyde beach, and village walks to parks and museums. They provide an "All About Me" book for each child, capturing their weekly achievements with pictures and artwork as a treasured keepsake.

The team at Little Fishes is dedicated and professional, aiming to provide the highest standards in early years care and education, supporting the EYFS curriculum in a safe, secure, and happy environment.

Our ethos

Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery is committed to play-based care and education, focusing on both indoor and outdoor learning, including "risky play" in a structured setting. They aim to foster creative, confident, and enthusiastic learners, building a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning, and support the EYFS curriculum.

What it's like

Staff warmly welcome children and their families to this friendly, little nursery. Children arrive ready to start their day and enthusiastically engage in activities. Staff support children's learning as they play. For example, staff help children to make play dough, encouraging them to smell and describe the ingredients. They support children to count wooden bricks as they build a tower and extend language, introducing the terms 'diagonal' and 'horizontal' as they play noughts and crosses. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They have a very positive attitude to their learning, and they behave well.

Play-based learningIndoor soft-play areaCommunity tripsAll-inclusive offering for babiesOpen 51 weeks a year

Pricing & funding

Charges are structured around hourly rates for additional care, with rates divided by age band. Government funding is stretched across 51 weeks. Additional optional fees apply daily for voluntary contributions, a comprehensive consumables package, individual meals, and snacks, alongside a registration fee.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Government funding is stretched over 51 weeks, providing 22 hours per week.
  • A voluntary contribution is requested for each day of attendance.
  • Meals and snacks can be purchased individually at a daily rate.
  • A daily consumables fee covers nappies, wipes, formula milk, and other essentials.
  • A one-off registration fee is required for private contracts.

Key facts

Food

Provided at additional cost (breakfast, snacks, hot lunch, light tea)

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 5:30pm

Age range

Birth to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

flexible sessions

Staff

12

Waitlist

Places Available

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery

Last inspected 13 August 2024 · Rebecca Hayday

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 warmly welcome children and their families to this friendly, little nursery. Children arrive ready to start their day and enthusiastically engage in activities. Staff support children's learning as they play. For example, staff help children to make play dough, encouraging them to smell and describe the ingredients. They support children to count wooden bricks as they build a tower and extend language, introducing the terms 'diagonal' and 'horizontal' as they play noughts and crosses. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They have a very positive attitude to their learning, and they behave well.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are confident communicators. Staff use books and stories well to support children's language development. They also use sign language and pictures to support younger children's development.
  • Children are very independent, selecting activities and resources, managing personal care, and preparing their own snacks.
  • Staff provide enriching experiences for children on trips, teaching them about road safety and understanding neighbourhood signs.
  • Children of different ages play together throughout the day, learning from one another and supporting their understanding of their own needs and those of others.
  • Senior leaders are highly effective; they regularly evaluate the setting's efficacy, ensuring continuous improvement and supporting staff with regular training and development.

Areas to develop

  • 1adapt the learning environment, the learning experiences that are offered and the daily routine further to fully meet the needs of children under two years old
  • 2provide extended opportunities for children to express their ideas through creative and imaginative play.
Inspection #10350708 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are extremely happy with the care and education that the nursery provides.

They comment that their children have made good progress at the nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. The inspector accompanied staff and children on a planned walk in the local environment.

Parent Reviews of Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery

5.0
(5)
sams HQ
2 years ago

I would like to thank all the team at Little Fishes!! Our eldest has now finished as he’s starting big school next week. He has been with you for the past 2/3 years and has loved it! The little graduation party with the dress up uni hat etc was so sweet and we’ll treasure the picture for ever! Every single member of staff was consistently friendly, caring and understanding. On difficult days when our son wasn’t feeling himself you all had so much patience and kindness. We really loved his personal diary recorded each day and all the wonderful artwork he has brought home. He has gained so much confidence and we feel it has massively encouraged him to start big school without fear! We will be so happy to start our youngest son with you in September! FIVE STAR ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

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Hari Nouri
3 years ago

My little boy loves going to Little Fishes in Braunton. I was so nervous about leaving him for the first time a few months ago as he's never spent any time away from me. The team were so understanding and allowed me to stay until I was comfortable to leave him. Once I did leave they called me half an hour later to reassure me that he was happyily playing. It's such a relief to feel so comfortable leaving my son with the lovely staff there. They are also very flexible with their hours too which has been amazing for us. I highly recommend little fishes.

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Jenny Pinsent
3 years ago

A fantastic setting! I was worried about sending my little one to nursery at less than a year old, but he absolutely loves it. He beams with smiles when the girls let him in in morning. The setting is lovely and (most importantly) safe & secure. I love the attention to detail in the "what they have been up to" folder, so we can see all of his achievements there. I would highly recommend this nursery and so would Finn 🤩

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Sarah Currin
3 years ago

The staff are amazing and really go out of their way to make sure my child’s needs are catered for. I can’t thank them enough for their wonderful support over the years :)

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Chloe Pratt
a year ago

Absolutely great with our daughter, she loves it here. Very lovely bunch of staff :)

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Reviews from Google for Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

13 August 2024

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more