Little Monsters Childcare

About this day nursery

Little Monsters Childcare in Hardwicke, Gloucestershire, focuses on play-based learning to foster children's development and life skills. The nursery's mission is to offer a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn from their peers, with practitioners guiding them through playful activities that encourage reading, writing, kindness, and compassion.

Little Monsters Childcare began over a decade ago as a childminding service and has since grown into a dedicated nursery and pre-school. The team works closely with families to maintain continuity of care and routine, ensuring children feel secure.

The nursery has received a 'Good' rating from OFSTED, with particular praise for its well-qualified staff who effectively use children's interests to plan individual learning steps. Parents consistently report being well-informed and happy with their children’s progress and contentment at the nursery.

The setting also actively engages with the community, participating in fundraising for local and national charities and visiting care homes during festive periods. The owner, Chris, holds degrees in Playwork and a Masters in Play Work, championing messy play and the importance of play in education.

The staff team, including a business manager, deputy manager, and several practitioners, brings diverse experience and a shared passion for play-based learning.

Our ethos

Our mission is to ensure children play in a safe and loving environment while having the ability to learn from their peers. Our role is to seek the learning out from their playful opportunities which helps a child grow not only for school, but develop key skills for life. Using play, children can naturally steer their learning for every purpose they need, which includes reading, writing, kindness and compassion for their peers.

What it's like

Children at Little Monsters Childcare play together, forming good relationships with staff and peers. Younger children explore indoor play spaces, practicing physical skills and engaging their senses with rice, while pre-school children use different rooms for imaginative play, building, and creative activities, showing consideration and kindness to others. Children are curious, inquisitive, and are beginning to learn about themselves, with staff pointing out facial features and expressions.

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on an hourly rate for unfunded hours, with flat fees for full days and early starts. Funding is term-time only (38 weeks) and cannot be stretched. Additional charges apply for snacks and lunches on funded days, as well as consumables like nappies and sun cream if not provided by parents.