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Little Otters Children's Centre

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2023)
·Marshgate, Camelford, PL32 9YN · Cornwall
Number of places
29 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2023
Local authority
Cornwall

About this day nursery

Little Otters Children's Centre in Camelford provides a warm and nurturing environment where children from birth to four years old are well cared for. The staff create a calm atmosphere, helping children to settle quickly and engage in a variety of sensory experiences that foster curiosity about the world.

The setting received a 'Good' rating in its most recent Ofsted inspection on 26 January 2023, reflecting good quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Children happily play together, sharing toys and engaging in activities such as water play and imaginative role-play.

British values are integrated into daily routines, with children learning about voting, turn-taking, and cultural diversity through celebrations like Chinese New Year. The manager is highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, working closely with staff to develop a curriculum focused on children's curiosity and ensuring strong progress across all areas.

The centre is particularly effective in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), swiftly identifying needs and collaborating with external professionals to implement individual plans. Staff engage children in meaningful activities, developing their vocabulary through play and making good use of the extensive outdoor area, which includes a forest school, to teach about healthy lifestyles and nature.

Strong partnerships with parents ensure a thorough settling-in process and regular communication about children's development, preparing them well for school. 30pm on Fridays, 50 weeks a year.

Our ethos

Little Otters Children's Centre focuses on fostering children's curiosity through sensory experiences and child-led activities, including a forest school. They integrate British values and are committed to developing children's vocabulary and healthy lifestyles, while also providing strong support for children with SEND.

What it's like

Staff give each child a warm welcome and help them to settle quickly into playing. They create a calm and gentle environment where children are well cared for. Children take part in a range of sensory experiences and develop curiosity about the world around them.

Warm WelcomeSensory ExperiencesBritish ValuesStrong SEND SupportOutdoor LearningEffective Parent Partnerships

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Key facts

Opening hours

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8am to 5.30pm; Wednesdays, from 8am to 5pm; and Fridays, from 8am to 3.30pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Registered with Ofsted

1991

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Otters Children's Centre

Last inspected 26 January 2023 · Leanne Edge

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff give each child a warm welcome and help them to settle quickly into playing. They create a calm and gentle environment where children are well cared for. Children take part in a range of sensory experiences and develop curiosity about the world around them.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, working with staff to develop a curriculum based on children's curiosity.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) thrive with swiftly identified individual plans and support from external professionals.
  • Children are engaged in meaningful activities at all times, with staff playing alongside them and developing their vocabulary.
  • Staff make the most of the large outdoor area to teach children about healthy lifestyles and the wider world, including a forest school area.
  • Parent partnerships are very good, with an effective key-person system and regular communication about children's next steps.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to use effective questioning in order to give children more opportunities to develop their communication and language skills
  • 2allow children access to a greater range of books to support their learning.
Inspection #10263660 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) thrive. Staff swiftly identify children who are in need of additional support and put in place individual plans. They work well with professionals outside the setting to develop the provision for children with SEND.

Outdoor space

Staff make the most of the large outdoor area to teach the children about both healthy lifestyles and the wider world. Children develop their physical skills and learn about cooperation through the use of two-person, ride-on toys, and younger children develop their core strength as they climb on the wooden pirate ship. Staff have developed a forest school area and have undertaken training to effectively use it. Children explore nature through building insect houses and learning about different plants.

Inspection history

Date: March 2009

  • January 2023Good
  • May 2017Good
  • April 2013Requires improvement
  • March 2009Good

Frequently asked about Little Otters Children's Centre

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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