Little Oaks Day Nursery, situated within Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, has once again secured a ‘Good’ rating in its recent Ofsted inspection conducted on 7 March. Catering primarily to the children of Gloucestershire NHS Trust staff, the nursery impressed inspectors with its warm, nurturing environment, effective leadership, and engaging, well-structured curriculum.
Operating year-round from 7am to 6pm, the nursery provides care for children from birth to four years old. Currently enrolling 67 children, it offers 45 places and employs 15 qualified early years practitioners who have maintained high-quality standards since the last inspection in 2019.
Inspectors highlighted the welcoming atmosphere, noting that children are “happy and eager to attend” and quickly build secure relationships with attentive staff. The curriculum was praised as “broad and well-sequenced,” thoughtfully designed to promote developmental milestones and foster independence across age groups.
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Babies were observed developing physical skills through exploration and movement, supported by positive reinforcement from staff to encourage a confident, ‘can do’ attitude from a young age. Older children demonstrated self-care abilities, consistent routines, and appropriate behaviour.
Assessment practices were described as robust, with staff closely monitoring progress and collaborating with parents to incorporate children’s interests and developmental needs into personalised learning plans. Termly reviews and coordination with specialist professionals, including the inclusion team, ensure tailored support is provided effectively.
The learning environment is enriched with diverse, stimulating resources both indoors and outdoors, aligning with children’s interests. Nevertheless, inspectors recommended improving the organisation of certain activity areas, such as the sand tray and workbench, where overcrowding sometimes limits older children’s engagement.
A strong emphasis on literacy was evident, with daily storytime and singing fostering communication and language development. While staff-led conversations support learning, inspectors encouraged giving children more space to think and express their own ideas to build confidence and language skills further.
Children’s problem-solving and critical thinking flourished through activities like puzzles and sensory play with sand and water, demonstrating their ability to link new experiences with prior knowledge.
Community involvement stands out as a key strength. Staff integrate local walks, charitable activities like food bank donations, and visits from health professionals and therapy dog Gizmo to nurture emotional growth and social awareness.
Leadership prioritises staff well-being, providing access to hospital support resources and fostering a positive work environment through training and supervision. This commitment to supporting staff morale contributes directly to the high-quality care children receive.
Safeguarding measures are robust, characterised by a transparent and proactive culture focused on children’s safety and welfare.
To continue enhancing quality, inspectors suggested refining the organisation of play spaces to maximise child engagement and allowing more group activity time for children to reflect and communicate their thoughts, ultimately enriching their learning experience.