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Little Fishes Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2024)
·Lodge Farm Community Centre, Lings, NN3 8JJ · West Northamptonshire
Number of places
28 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2024
Local authority
West Northamptonshire

About this day nursery

Little Fishes Pre-School is a well-established early years setting catering to children from two years of age. The pre-school operates on a sessional basis, offering morning, afternoon, and full-day options for 38 weeks of the year.

With a capacity for 60 children, a maximum of 30 children attend each session, ensuring focused attention and a nurturing environment. The curriculum focuses on foundational learning and includes a variety of engaging activities both indoors and outdoors.

The facilities are designed to support comprehensive development, featuring a spacious classroom, a gymnasium for physical activities, and a dedicated "Cosy Corner" for quiet time and storytelling. Outdoor spaces are equally impressive, with a patio area for daily use, a popular mud kitchen for sensory play, and access to a large grassed area, allowing for free-flow play during warmer months.

The pre-school encourages a love for nature through gardening activities where children learn about the seed-to-harvest process. Little Fishes Pre-School also collaborates with "A Better Start Southend" to provide specialist support for language and communication skills.

The dedicated team of staff members are all highly qualified, holding Early Years qualifications and undergoing regular training in child protection, safeguarding, and first aid. The pre-school welcomes visits by appointment to showcase their enriching environment.

What it's like

Children arrive happily and are greeted by kind and caring staff. They take part in self-registration, supporting their sense of belonging. Staff are warm, encouraging, positive role models, and support children to take turns and follow instructions, which creates a calm learning environment.

Sessional careOutdoor learning focusLanguage and communication supportExperienced and qualified staff

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions, with fees structured into two age bands: 2 to 3 years, and 3 to 4 years. Additional options include lunch stay sessions for half-day children and late pick-up fees charged per half hour.

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Fees are differentiated by two age bands: 2-3 years and 3-4 years.
  • Half-day children can book a lunch stay from 12:00 to 12:30.
  • Late pick-up fees are charged per half hour.
  • Stated costs apply to unfunded hours or extra booked sessions.

Key facts

Session types

Morning session, Afternoon session, Full-Day Provision

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 09:00 - 15:00

Age range

2 years old and over

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Fishes Pre-School

Last inspected 12 September 2024

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 arrive happily and are greeted by kind and caring staff. They take part in self-registration, supporting their sense of belonging. Staff are warm, encouraging, positive role models, and support children to take turns and follow instructions, which creates a calm learning environment.

Inspector highlights

  • Children arrive happily at this welcoming pre-school and are greeted by the kind and caring staff.
  • Staff promote children's communication and language skills well by speaking clearly, modelling words, asking questions, and using sign language.
  • Staff provide many opportunities to develop children's physical skills through running games, football, stilts, and play dough.
  • Staff support children's early mathematics well by introducing mathematical language and encouraging counting.
  • Managers and staff working with children understand their safeguarding responsibilities to protect children from harm.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the organisation when transitioning between children's activities and routines so they are consistently engaged in learning
  • 2support staff to arrange the planning of activities to ensure all children can benefit from all of the learning opportunities on offer.
Inspection #10343011 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

"Parents speak highly of the pre-school."

"They comment that their children are confident and independent."

"Parents feel well supported and state children are well cared for."

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The managers and staff support all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They monitor and observe children to identify any gaps in development and plan activities, one-to-one sessions, or referrals to specialists to close these gaps. All staff use now and next boards, visuals, and simple sign language to support children, ensuring good progress from their starting points.

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.

Inspection history

Date: September 2018

  • September 2024Good
  • September 2018Outstanding

Frequently asked about Little Fishes Pre-School

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