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Little Gardners Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2023)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews) ·Main Road, Marchwood, Southampton, SO40 4ZH · Hampshire
Number of places
46 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2023
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Little Gardners Nursery, established in 2013, provides high-quality childcare in Marchwood, Southampton, for children aged 9 months to 5 years. Located on the grounds of Marchwood Junior School, the nursery boasts a beautiful natural environment with ample open spaces, including an dedicated Forest School area referred to as their Natural Garden.

This allows children to engage in outdoor exploration and learning year-round, regardless of weather conditions. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, integrating the Forest School ethos to foster investigative skills and a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Little Gardners is a family-run business that prioritises a nurturing environment, valuing parents as partners in their child's development. They aim to nurture each child's feelings and help them become the best person they can be, instilling golden rules that are intended to benefit them throughout their lives.

The nursery provides freshly prepared meals daily, ensuring children receive nutritious food. Parents are kept informed about their child's day, including meal consumption, nappy changes, and sleep routines, through the Famly app.

The dedicated sleep room and adherence to individual sleep routines demonstrate a thoughtful approach to children's well-being.

Our ethos

Little Gardners Nursery integrates the Forest School ethos and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, aiming to foster children's investigative skills and connection to the natural world. They are committed to nurturing each child's potential and instilling lifelong golden rules in a family-run, partnership-focused environment.

What it's like

Staff and children have strong relationships, allowing children to settle quickly and happily engage with activities. Children demonstrate kindness, pride in their achievements, and actively participate in cooking and literacy activities. Staff use conversations to introduce mathematical concepts.

Forest School ethosNatural GardenFamily-run businessPurpose-built nurseryNutritious meals

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Request pricing →

Key facts

Food

Fresh food delivered daily, including lunch and tea options.

Opening hours

8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday

Age range

9 months - 5 year olds

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2014

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Gardners Nursery

Last inspected 20 December 2023

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 and children have strong relationships, allowing children to settle quickly and happily engage with activities. Children demonstrate kindness, pride in their achievements, and actively participate in cooking and literacy activities. Staff use conversations to introduce mathematical concepts.

Inspector highlights

  • Significant improvements have been made since the last inspection, particularly around safeguarding.
  • The management team has created a new curriculum based on 'four pillars of learning', which is ambitious and builds on children's existing knowledge.
  • Supervision processes are in place to support staff well-being, though they need further embedding.
  • Staff effectively support children's emerging communication and language skills, modelling correct pronunciation and introducing new vocabulary.
  • Children are encouraged to develop independence skills through daily routines, fostering a 'can-do' attitude.

Areas to develop

  • 1embed fully the new supervision processes to identify any gaps in staff's knowledge and target support precisely
  • 2support staff to be more consistent in teaching children good personal hygiene practices.
Inspection #10307725 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents say that staff are welcoming and friendly.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning and development. Staff quickly identify where there are gaps in development and ensure that support plans are put in place. Referrals to other professionals are made in a timely manner. Staff work in partnership with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to ensure that children receive the support they need. Staff ensure that they regularly review children's support plans and adapt their teaching as needed.

Parent Reviews of Little Gardners Nursery

5.0
(2)
Chris Fielder
4 years ago

Excellent preschool. Our daughter recently started here and has settled in wonderfully. She spends nearly all day playing outside in either the forest garden or play area. There are lots or activities for the children to do and the staff are really engaging, friendly and professional. Highly recommend.

Read on Google

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

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023

Date: June 2014

  • December 2023Good
  • August 2023Inadequate
  • April 2018Good
  • May 2017Good
  • June 2014Good

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