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Little Squirrels Play Forest

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2023)
·
5.0(5 parent reviews) ·Little Squirrels Play Forest, 70a Castle Quarter, Norwich, NR1 3DD · Norfolk
Number of places
34 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2023
Local authority
Norfolk

About this day nursery

Little Squirrels Play Forest offers a rich and nurturing environment across its four Norfolk locations: Norwich, Gorleston, and Great Yarmouth. Catering to children aged three months to six years old, the nursery is open year-round, closing only for bank holidays and during the Christmas and New Year period.

Emphasising a strong connection with nature and a play-based learning approach, Little Squirrels focuses on fostering imagination, exploration, and sensory engagement. The curriculum is led by qualified Early Years Teachers and incorporates practices like the Forest School Approach and the Curiosity Approach, encouraging children to become confident and active learners.

They provide both full-day and sessional care, with flexible options available for parents with varying work schedules. The nursery is keenly focused on communication and language development, with dedicated programmes and resources, particularly for younger children.

The team of educators is highly trained and committed to continuous professional development, ensuring a safe, secure, and supportive atmosphere for all children.

Our ethos

Little Squirrels Play Forest emphasises a strong connection with nature and a play-based learning approach, incorporating the Forest School and Curiosity Approach. They focus on fostering imagination, exploration, sensory engagement, and developing confident, active learners through child-led enquiry.

What it's like

Children learn to explore their environment and develop their curious and creative nature. Staff introduce older children to mathematics and literacy during spontaneous play, helping them build knowledge for future education. Babies receive kind and sensitive care.

Nature-inspired learningPlay-based curriculumQualified Early Years TeachersFlexible session optionsStrong focus on communication and language

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged based on full day or half day (morning/afternoon) sessions, split into two age bands: 0-3 years and 3-5 years. Invoices are billed monthly in advance. Fees include all meals and snacks during the session, but parents must provide formula or breast milk.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
  • Morning or afternoon session (0-3 years old)£25.50 / session
  • Full day session (0-3 years old)£51.00 / session
  • Morning or afternoon session (3-5 years old)£22.50 / session
  • Full day session (3-5 years old)£45.00 / session

Good to know

  • Fees are invoiced monthly in advance around the 5th and due by the 19th of the month.
  • No fees are charged during periods of nursery closure, including bank holidays, Christmas, and New Year.
  • Fees include meals and snacks, though parents must provide formula or breast milk.
  • No refunds or credits are given for unused sessions due to sickness, holidays, or other absences.
  • Government funding is accepted for eligible two-year-olds and three-to-four-year-olds.
  • Deferring a start date by more than a month may result in loss of deposit.

Key facts

Session types

Full day care, Sessional care, Ad-hoc care

Opening hours

Monday to Friday between 08:00-18:00

Age range

3 months to 6 years old

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Squirrels Play Forest

Last inspected 20 June 2023 · Kate Hipperson

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 learn to explore their environment and develop their curious and creative nature. Staff introduce older children to mathematics and literacy during spontaneous play, helping them build knowledge for future education. Babies receive kind and sensitive care.

Inspector highlights

  • Children learn to explore their environment and develop their curious and creative nature.
  • Children benefit from a language-rich environment, developing strong speech and language skills.
  • Leaders prioritise staff training and support, ensuring knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.
  • Staff quickly identify concerns about children's development and work with parents and professionals to provide appropriate help.
  • Parents value the effort staff put into knowing their individual children and designing unique activities based on their interests.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop strategies to help children to understand what they can do to ensure that their play environment remains safe and inviting for all
  • 2review the arrangements for settling new children in to the nursery to ensure that staff consistently have sufficient time available to sustain high levels of interactions and support for all children's learning.
Inspection #10298909 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Many parents speak of the unique activities that staff design based around their children's individual interests.

They explain how keen their children are to go to nursery each day.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff quickly identify any concerns about children's development. They work with parents and other professionals to put in place appropriate help and support. This helps children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make progress in their learning.

Outdoor space

Children have spaces to move, climb and balance, both indoors and outdoors.

Parent Reviews of Little Squirrels Play Forest

5.0
(5)
Dee Google
6 years ago

My son has enjoyed going to this nursery for the last two and a half years and will certainly miss and remember it and the staff. He has grown into a highly sociable and positive fun kind boy and little squirrels definitely encouraged him with this. I always recommend them to any parent who asks about my sons care and about local nurseries.

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Beth Moseley
6 years ago

My son has been going here since January and he loves it. The staff are very caring and really take an interest in my son and his wellbeing.

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Shweta Advani
8 years ago

Its a good place to help your children learn and explore... highly recommended

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Cat Hegarty
7 years ago

Fantastic nursery with lovely staff.

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Reviews from Google for Little Squirrels Play Forest. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: March 2019

  • June 2023Good
  • March 2019Good

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