Food
Healthy and nutritionally balanced hot meals cooked on-site using fresh, local seasonal produce.
Little Shining Lights
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
Number of places
42 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Croydon
About this day nursery
Little Shining Lights Nursery, located in Thornton Heath, Croydon, provides outstanding and affordable childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years. As a registered charity with Ofsted, the nursery operates on a not-for-profit basis, aiming to make quality childcare accessible to more families.
They offer both full-time and part-time places and are open for 50 weeks of the year. The nursery follows a Christian ethos, integrating biblical teachings into their approach to childcare and child development.
They provide dedicated learning spaces tailored to different age groups (babies, toddlers, and preschoolers), each designed to stimulate and inspire while adhering to the seven areas of learning outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The nursery emphasizes a safe, caring, and stimulating environment, focusing on nurturing each child's individual potential and preparing them for their school journey.
They also highlight a commitment to healthy and nutritionally balanced meals, cooked on-site using fresh, local, and seasonal produce.
Our ethos
Little Shining Lights Nursery operates with a strong Christian ethos, believing that the Bible offers valuable guidance and principles for raising children. They strive to incorporate these teachings as a foundation for their educational and developmental approach, aiming to nurture and enhance children's growth within this framework. The nursery provides opportunities for children to understand basic Christian values through appropriate bible stories, prayers, and celebrating Christian festivals. They also aim to ensure equality of opportunity for all children, regardless of their beliefs.
What it's like
Children separate confidently from their parents and carers, greeted by responsive and kind staff. Staff work hard to embed an effective key-person system, which forms the basis for planning individual learning, especially successful when children first join the nursery. Children's behaviour is very good, playing alongside each other and showing delight when friends rejoin the group.
Charity-runChristian ethosHealthy mealsEYFS curriculum
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
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
Open for 50 weeks
Age range
3 months to 5 years old
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
Full time, Part time
Established
2023
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Little Shining Lights
Last inspected 9 September 2025 · Sarah Phillips
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children separate confidently from their parents and carers, greeted by responsive and kind staff. Staff work hard to embed an effective key-person system, which forms the basis for planning individual learning, especially successful when children first join the nursery. Children's behaviour is very good, playing alongside each other and showing delight when friends rejoin the group.
Inspector highlights
- Children benefit from regularly playing outside in the fresh air and develop confidence in climbing.
- Children self-select what they would like to do, and staff extend their learning through skilful interactions.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support through close work with parents and outside agencies, and targeted plans.
- Staff help to prepare children for life in modern Britain through activities focused on building awareness and understanding similarities and differences.
- Managers place a strong focus on supporting children and their families, with parents speaking with passion about the support they receive and how happy and safe their children are.
Areas to develop
- 1continue to develop children's communication and language skills further by engaging in meaningful conversations around children's interests
- 2enhance opportunities for children to be more independent, especially during routine activities during the day, such as mealtimes.
Inspection #10394718 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents speak with passion when they describe the support they receive. They comment how happy and safe their children are in the setting.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support. Staff work closely with parents and outside agencies to meet each child's needs. They implement targeted plans. This helps children to achieve important goals and prepares them well when they move on to school.
Outdoor space
Children benefit from regularly playing outside in the fresh air. For example, older children play a game with staff where they practise running, jumping and stopping. They develop confidence in climbing while using the large slide. Children carefully assess when it is safe to go down if their friends are at the bottom. This helps children to start to understand how to assess risks themselves. Children make decisions on whether they would like to go into the garden.
Parent Reviews of Little Shining Lights
5.0
(6)
Lola Lalobo
2 years ago
I would certainly recommend Little Shining Light nursery. The staff are not only well-qualified but also compassionate, creating a warm and nurturing environment for the children. All of the staff at Little Shining Lights Nursery are fantastic. From the baby floor through to the toddler…"
Read on Google
Mercy Akinrinwa dan
2 years ago
Everything was of top standard, cleaned and well maintained. The approached of their staff shown that they are the type that will go above and beyond to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of the pupil.
Read on Google
Abudu Oluwatobi
2 years ago
I will recommend Little Shinning Lights Nursery to anyone, the environment is serene, the staff are so welcoming and loving.
Read on Google
Coach Teedi
2 years ago
A brand new nursery that has a feel of home and friendly care givers with many years of experience.
Read on Google
Lasisi Mariam
2 years ago
Such a beautiful space with so many equipments for children to learn and play with.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Little Shining Lights. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: September 2025
- October 2025Good
- September 2025Good
Frequently asked about Little Shining Lights
Nearby day nurseries in Thornton Heath
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Shining Lights.
-
<0.2 miOfsted: Good
J&S Playhouse
Thornton Heath · CR7 8NF
5.0(13 reviews) -
<0.2 miOfsted: Good
Allens Montessori Nursery
Thornton Heath · CR7 8JH
-
0.2 miOfsted: Good
Daffodils Day Nursery
Thornton Heath · CR7 8LY
3.5(11 reviews) -
0.3 miOfsted: Good
Tammy's Tiny Tots
Thornton Heath · CR7 8LH
3.8(10 reviews) -
0.4 miOfsted: Good
Angels Unlimited Nurseries
Thornton Heath · CR7 7AJ
-
0.4 miOfsted: Good
Shining Stars Nursery
Thornton Heath · CR7 8EB
5.0(28 reviews)
Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.
Claim listingShare this nursery
Send to a partner, friend or family member.
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