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Little Rays Daycare in Godalming

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2024)
·Godalming Town Football Club, Wey Court, Godalming, GU7 3JE · Surrey
Number of places
35 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2024
Local authority
Surrey

About this day nursery

Little Rays Daycare Ltd is an outdoor learning pre-school that prioritises natural exploration and Forest School principles. Located in Godalming, the nursery caters to children aged 1–5, fostering resilience and creativity through a curriculum that balances child-led discovery with adult-guided activities.

The setting provides a rich array of indoor and outdoor resources, emphasising a love for reading and an inclusive environment for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), supported by Level 3 SENCO-qualified staff. Daily routines integrate Forest School activities, encouraging a deep connection with nature through mud play, leaf art, and gentle tool use.

Beyond the core curriculum, the nursery hosts visiting providers for activities like gymnastics and theatre, organises family events, and facilitates inter-generational friendships through visits to a local care home. Meals are home-cooked on-site using fresh, local ingredients, including produce from their allotment.

Little Rays also offers Stay & Play Forest School sessions on Wednesdays and provides Breakfast and After School Clubs. The dedicated team, led by owner Pauline, comprises highly qualified individuals, many with Forest School Level 3 certification, and a commitment to nurturing each child’s individual learning journey.

Our ethos

Little Rays Daycare Ltd is an outdoor learning pre-school that prioritises natural exploration and Forest School principles. They foster resilience and creativity through a curriculum that balances child-led discovery with adult-guided activities, using daily routines that integrate Forest School activities to encourage a deep connection with nature. Their dedicated team is committed to nurturing each child’s individual learning journey.

What it's like

Staff are kind and caring, providing a welcoming and supportive environment tailored to each child's learning and development. Children are happy and feel safe, demonstrating good curiosity and forming trusting relationships with staff. Staff plan a good range of experiences to build children's future skills, including perseverance and speaking and listening skills.

Outdoor Learning Pre-SchoolForest School FocusInclusive & SEND-friendlyHome-cooked MealsFamily-run Team

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged on an hourly basis for ad-hoc extra hours. The nursery accepts various government funding options with no top-up fees, offering flexible hours between 8:00am and 6:00pm with no minimum session requirements.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • No top-up fees are charged on government funded hours.
  • No minimum sessions or limitations on selected funded hours.
  • Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit accepted.

Key facts

Opening hours

Pre-school funded hours Monday–Friday, 8:00–18:00.

Session types

Full day, Breakfast Club, After School Club, Stay & Play (Forest School)

Food

Home-cooked meals and snacks provided, using fresh local ingredients and allotment produce.

Age range

1-5

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

2023

Waitlist

Waiting list available

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Rays Daycare

Last inspected 17 September 2024 · Tracy Bartholomew

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff are kind and caring, providing a welcoming and supportive environment tailored to each child's learning and development. Children are happy and feel safe, demonstrating good curiosity and forming trusting relationships with staff. Staff plan a good range of experiences to build children's future skills, including perseverance and speaking and listening skills.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team has made significant changes to the pre-school since the last inspection, resulting in a positive impact on children's care, education and learning.
  • The management team and staff work well together, supported by effective coaching and training to fully understand their roles and responsibilities.
  • Staff clearly know what they want children to learn, effectively embedding the new curriculum to support children's development.
  • The key-person approach is well maintained and used to tailor learning to each child's next steps.
  • Children are kind and considerate to each other, learning to share and developing emotionally with staff's praise and encouragement.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen staff's questioning techniques to help build on children's knowledge and skills to maximise their learning
  • 2extend ways to help children understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Inspection #10356440 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Suitable provision is in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

As children play imaginatively in the sensory shed, they call to staff cheerfully to come and find them. Children are learning about where some foods come from as they grow and harvest foods in the garden.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2024

Date: March 2024

  • September 2024Good
  • March 2024Inadequate

Frequently asked about Little Rays Daycare

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