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Little Pals Forest School

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·465 St Johns Road, Clacton, Clacton, CO16 8DU · Essex
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Little Pals Forest School is located in Clacton and provides term-time care for children aged two to four. The day nursery is open from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm. It was inspected by Ofsted in October 2024 and received an overall rating of 'Good'. The inspector found that children are keen and active learners who engage in play with easily accessible resources. Staff were observed to be kind and friendly, with clear expectations for behaviour.

According to the Ofsted report, staff plan learning activities around weekly themes and tailor them to extend children's experiences. The provision includes outdoor learning sessions where children are taught new vocabulary, along with additional garden and physical play time. The inspector noted that partnerships with parents are strong and that parents feel happy with the care provided. To improve, Ofsted recommended that the day nursery strengthen the quality of its teaching and enhance planning so that children can develop a greater knowledge of mathematical concepts.

What it's like

Children excitedly enter the nursery and part from their parents and carers with ease, greeted by kind and friendly staff. They are keen and active learners, engaging in freely chosen play with easily accessible resources. Staff support children's ideas and have clear expectations, resulting in good behaviour and proficient adherence to nursery rules.

Outdoor PlayHome-Cooked MealsCommunity GroupsOfsted GoodNDNA Quality Counts

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.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 07:45-6pm, 50 weeks of the year (Tendring Education Centre); Monday to Friday, 9am-3:30pm, Term-Time only (Hemmington House)

Food

Home-cooked meals prepared daily, catering for allergies and dietary requirements.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Pals Forest School

Last inspected 15 October 2024 · Lynn Hughes

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

Children excitedly enter the nursery and part from their parents and carers with ease, greeted by kind and friendly staff. They are keen and active learners, engaging in freely chosen play with easily accessible resources. Staff support children's ideas and have clear expectations, resulting in good behaviour and proficient adherence to nursery rules.

Inspector highlights

  • The nursery is managed by a team of directors who effectively share responsibilities and support day-to-day managers.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong, and parents are happy with the care and feel well informed.
  • Staff tailor learning activities to extend experiences for children, planning around weekly themes.
  • Staff effectively manage the differing needs of younger and older children.
  • Children's mathematical knowledge is generally extended by staff helping them to count and use numbers in their everyday activities.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to strengthen the quality of teaching to a consistently high level so that all children benefit from strong learning
  • 2improve planning to ensure that children develop a greater knowledge of mathematical concepts in everyday play.
Inspection #10370131 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

share that they are really happy with the care of their children

feel that a core strength of the nursery is the friendly staff team and state that their children really enjoy attending

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Following a session of outdoor learning, staff teach children new vocabulary like 'mollusc' when researching slugs. Younger children also enjoy additional garden and physical play time while older children listen to a story together. The manager is aware that there are fewer opportunities for children to explore mathematics in the garden.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

15 October 2024

Good

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 Pals Forest School

About the setting

Little Pals Forest School was registered in 2023. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including two with early years teacher status. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two-, three- and four years.

URN
2736119
Registered person
Little Pals Childrens Centre Nursery Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Not applicable

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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