Little Oaks Nursery in Derby

Expected standard

Last inspected Feb 2026

Ofsted rating for Little Oaks Nursery

Last inspected 4 February 2026

What it's like to attend

• Children thrive in the thoughtfully organised environment and make steady progress from their starting points.
• Babies babble and smile. Older children are confident communicators, describing going outside in the morning and how the leaves were 'sludgy' from the rain.
• Children confidently recall their learning from core books as they use words such as 'cocoon' when talking about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
• Children develop their independence as they transition across the rooms. Pre-school children can confidently use a knife and fork and successfully pour themselves a drink of water from a jug.
• Children learn the necessary skills for dressing themselves for outdoor play. This helps children build independence in their self-care routines.
• Staff provide a range of healthy foods, and children begin to understand what foods are good for them.
• Older children are supported through meaningful, extended conversations that prompt them to think and respond to questions.
• The strong attachments between children and their key people help them feel safe and secure.
• The nursery offers a broad and inclusive curriculum.
• Pre-school children enjoy looking through their 'big book of cultures' that staff and children have created with their unique experiences.
• Staff find out about children's home experiences and plan these into their day.
• Staff say good morning in other languages during the morning group time. This helps children feel a sense of belonging.
• Overall, children enjoy learning. Babies benefit from rich sensory experiences supported by nurturing staff. They show fascination as they explore lights and sounds with focused attention.
• Older children take part in group activities; they put numbers in order on a light up tabletop.
• Children giggled and showed excitement as they confidently shouted out the missing number when they opened their eyes.
• When children wished to join the activity, they politely asked their friends if they could join in.
• Children build on their independence as they transition through the rooms.
• Children in the pre-school room can manage their own self-care, such as putting their outdoor clothing on and pouring themselves a drink from a jug.
• These skills prepare children well for their eventual move to school.

• 1Leaders should sharpen the monitoring of staff practice to raise the quality of all staff's teaching to a constant high level that supports all children to develop consistently positive attitudes to learning.