--- title: "Little Saplings Day Nursery, Kendal | Ofsted Report" url: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/little-saplings-day-nursery-la9-6nz-2806760 description: "Little Saplings Day Nursery in Kendal — latest Ofsted report available. See fees, opening hours, photos and contact details. Compare nearby nurseries." lang: en-GB --- Nursery Advice: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/ Claim Your Nursery: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/claim # Little Saplings Day Nursery Ofsted: Expected standard · Unit 16 A & B, Shap Road Industrial Estate, Kendal, LA9 6NZ · Westmorland and Furness Number of places 63 places Age range 0–4 yrs Last inspected Jun 2026 Local authority Westmorland and Furness ## About this day nursery Little Saplings Day Nursery, located in Kendal, Cumbria, registered with Ofsted on 27 August 2024, provides childcare on non-domestic premises. The day nursery places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those known to social care, experience equality of opportunity. Leaders and staff demonstrate a precise understanding of each child's unique requirements, making systematic adaptations to the curriculum and using assessment processes to identify individual needs. Parents consistently praise the nursery's supportive approach, highlighting the trust and shared understanding fostered by the team. The setting also strategically uses early years pupil premium funding to address identified barriers and enrich children's experiences. Staff are well-supported through regular professional development, which ensures consistent and impactful strategies, such as the introduction of Makaton to aid communication. Children benefit from a nurturing environment where they build secure relationships with staff, feel valued, and develop a strong sense of belonging, becoming confident young learners. The curriculum is broad and balanced, responsive to children's interests, and designed to support effective learning through accurate assessments and planned next steps, shared collaboratively with parents. Children engage in purposeful activities, from exploring tadpoles to potting plants, and the setting encourages independence in routines like sleep and personal care. Leaders maintain positive links with the local community, including schools, to ensure smooth transitions for children progressing to their next stage of education. Our ethos Our aim is to provide high-quality childcare in a setting where children thrive in their learning and development. We promote independence, develop confidence, and encourage creativity. We actively encourage the babies to explore and discover the world around them through a range of activities, materials and sensory toys. For toddlers, we focus on helping them to gain independence and lead the way in their own learning. In our pre-school room, the emphasis is still on learning through play, although your child’s day will become more structured, and adult led to prepare them for school. Independence is also highly encouraged in this age group with activities such as dressing themselves, cutting their own food at mealtimes and visiting the toilet with minimal support. What it's like Children are safe and well cared for. They thrive in a nurturing environment where they feel valued and supported, building secure relationships with staff, with each child's success and wellbeing at the forefront. Children demonstrate a clear sense of belonging and are confident young learners, valued as individuals, with interests celebrated through carefully crafted activities that spark early curiosity. Children behave well, demonstrating kindness and respect in a calm, purposeful, and inclusive environment, making progress in speaking, with rich, engaging learning experiences that build on their existing knowledge and abilities. They arrive happy, form trusting relationships with staff, and benefit from purposeful activities that create real excitement, from observing tadpoles to learning numbers with beanbags. Inclusivity SEND support Positive relationships Individualised learning Nurturing environment Strong leadership ## Pricing & funding Fees are structured by age groups across three rooms, with separate rates for all year-round and term-time only care. Charges are calculated hourly for full days (minimum 8 hours) or as flat rates for school days (9am to 3:30pm). Additional fees apply for meals, registration, late payments, and optional uniform. Funding accepted 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) Tax-Free Childcare Good to know - Non-refundable registration fee applies. - Offers options for both all year-round and term-time only attendance. - Late payment fee charged per child per month. - Hot lunches are available for an additional daily charge. - Early drop-off or late collection fees apply, escalating based on duration and frequency. - Nursery uniform items are available to purchase optionally. ## Key facts Opening hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 07:45 - 17:30 Food Hot meals and snacks provided; packed lunches also permitted Age range 3 months to 5 years Term time / All Year All_year Registered with Ofsted 2024 Ofsted Inspection — new report card ### Expected standard Last inspected Jun 2026 Headline: Expected standard Grade summary Exceptional — Strong standard Expected standard Needs attention — Urgent improvement — Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up. Category grades Achievement Expected standard Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard Curriculum and teaching Expected standard Inclusion Strong standard Leadership and governance Expected standard Age range 0 to 4 Registers Early Years Register Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted report for Little Saplings Day Nursery Last inspected 22 June 2026 What it's like to attend Inspector highlights - Leaders ensure children consistently experience inclusivity where equality of opportunity underpins all practice. - Children make steady progress and achieve well across all areas of learning. - Leaders have embedded a positive environment where children thrive and achieve. - Leaders and staff have a precise knowledge and understanding of the children, building trusting relationships. - Leaders design a broad and balanced curriculum that is responsive to children's interests. - Leaders cultivate collaboration among staff, parents and external professionals through supervision processes. - Staff report feeling supported through an open-door culture, regular check-ins and tailored training opportunities. Areas to develop - 1 Leaders should enrich daily routines to allow children to have opportunities to excel in their independence. - 2 Leaders should further strengthen opportunities for supporting children to consistently extend vocabulary and language in every interaction. Source: Ofsted View full Ofsted report (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50309813) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Leaders and staff consistently support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by making systematic adaptations to the curriculum, identifying individual needs through clear assessments, and seeking external professional support. Each room has a staff member responsible for SEND support, and Makaton is introduced to aid communication. Children with SEND access specialist teaching and one-to-one interactions, with staff modelling early language. Inspection history Most recent inspection 22 June 2026 Expected standard Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published. View full Ofsted report (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50309813) ## Frequently asked about Little Saplings Day Nursery ### What qualifications do the staff hold at Little Saplings Day Nursery? ### How can Little Saplings Day Nursery be contacted? ### Where is Little Saplings Day Nursery located? ### Which funded childcare options does Little Saplings Day Nursery accept? ### What type of early years setting is Little Saplings Day Nursery? ### What are the fees at Little Saplings Day Nursery? ## Nearby day nurseries in Kendal Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Saplings Day Nursery. - Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Meadow View Kendal · LA9 6PP https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/meadow-view-la9-6pp-ey562463 - Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### Daisies Day Nursery Kendal · LA9 6DR https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/daisies-day-nursery-la9-6dr-ey308627 - Ofsted: Outstanding 1.6 mi ### Sunnybrow Kendal · LA9 5DR 4.2(5 Google reviews) https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sunnybrow-la9-5dr-ey500609 - Ofsted: Good 3.9 mi ### Blossom Trees Nursery Kendal · LA8 9LR https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/blossom-trees-nursery-ltd-la8-9lr-ey399891 See all nurseries in Kendal →: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q=Kendal ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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