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Little Gillies

Ofsted: Expected standard·Little Gillies, Polka Road, Wells-next-the-sea, NR23 1JG · Norfolk
Number of places
32 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2026
Local authority
Norfolk

About this day nursery

Little Gillies is a childcare setting in Wells-next-the-sea, operating since 2023, that provides care for children aged 0–8 years. The nursery fosters a secure environment where children explore their local community and its fishing heritage through engaging displays and resources, including imaginative play with large wooden boats outdoors.

The setting promotes confidence and independence, with staff planning activities around children's interests and needs. Inspectors highlighted that the dedicated staff build close, trusting relationships, ensuring children feel safe and secure, and make continuous progress in their language development, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Leaders at Little Gillies prioritise children's welfare, ensuring individual care needs are met and routines are followed, while supporting staff development and wellbeing.

Our ethos

Little Gillies aims to provide a child-centred and well-organised approach, tailoring activities to individual needs within a "home from home" environment. They utilise a key person system to foster strong relationships with families, ensuring children feel secure and settled.

What it's like

Children enjoy attending this setting and learn about their local community, exploring the area's fishing heritage through displays and resources. They feel safe and secure due to warm, responsive relationships with staff and confidently explore the environment. Children are confident and independent learners, with staff planning activities reflecting their interests and needs.

Confident LearnersStrong Language DevelopmentResponsive RelationshipsCommunity FocusedWelfare Prioritised

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured according to two age bands: children aged 3 months to 2 years, and children aged 2 years up to the term including their third birthday. Parents can choose between half-day sessions and school-day sessions.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare

Key facts

Opening hours

9am to 3pm, term time

Age range

3 months to 3 years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Session types

Half Day, School Day

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Apr 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 8
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Gillies

Last inspected 22 April 2026

What it's like to attend

Children enjoy attending this setting and learn about their local community, exploring the area's fishing heritage through displays and resources. They feel safe and secure due to warm, responsive relationships with staff and confidently explore the environment. Children are confident and independent learners, with staff planning activities reflecting their interests and needs.

Inspector highlights

  • Little Gillies meets safeguarding standards, indicating a strong commitment to children's safety and well-being.
  • Children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with SEND, consistently make progress in their language development.
  • Children are confident learners who actively engage with activities and resources tailored to their interests.
  • Staff build close, trusting relationships with children, fostering a secure and responsive environment.
  • Leaders prioritise children's welfare and well-being, ensuring staff meet individual care needs and routines.
  • The curriculum is designed to promote confidence and independence, with activities planned around children's interests.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should develop a detailed and perceptive analysis of the strengths and areas for development in the setting to ensure practice is consistently improving.
  • 2Leaders should ensure that children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities are thoroughly prepared for any changes in the setting.
  • 3Leaders should consider children's individual routines when planning group activities so they can participate fully in these.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff work with parents to create and review individual plans that help children make progress. They access training to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and to work with parents and professionals to ensure timely support. Staff adapt activities and routines to ensure all children can participate and are ready to learn.

Outdoor space

Children engage in imaginative play using the large wooden boats outdoors.

EAL / language support

Children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make progress with their language development. They recall previous learning and confidently use new vocabulary.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

22 April 2026

Expected standard

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 Gillies

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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