Little Millers Day Nursery & Out of School Club

Recipe cards, weighing scales and a grassy embankment give Little Millers’ July 2022 nursery day a concrete character: children learnt through practical tasks, stories and movement. Small experiences carried the learning, from babies exchanging sounds to preschool children correcting the amount of flour in a bowl.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 13 July 2022 and judged safeguarding effective. Little Millers Day Nursery & Out of School Club serves babies and children aged up to 60 months on Mansfield Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday routines into their education. In July 2022, toddlers joined in retelling a story, while preschool children used a recipe card and scales during baking. These activities gave language and numbers a practical purpose.

Movement took different forms for different ages that July. Babies practised climbing the steps of a baby slide, toddlers tackled a grassy slope, and preschool children crossed a beam assembled with staff. Drawing, bubble popping and manipulating dough also exercised the smaller movements needed for writing.

Baking involved more than following adult instructions in July 2022. Preschool children collected ingredients from the fridge, measured them and shared the stirring. When the scales showed too much flour, they worked together to take some out with spoons. The task connected recognising quantities with solving a problem together. Children also understood that using a cheese grater called for care because it could hurt their fingers.

Stories invited active participation that July. Toddlers helped recount a tale about a superhero potato, recognised characters and anticipated the next part. This gave them opportunities to contribute their own words rather than simply listen. Babies’ exchanges of funny sounds offered an earlier form of taking turns in conversation.

In July 2022, preschool children also explored what happened when dough became hard in the heat. They proposed adding water, requested help and used spray bottles to soften it. Alongside the finger movements involved, this was a chance to test an idea and see its effect on a material they were handling.

Group learning was less consistent. In July 2022, some preschool children disengaged during carpet activities and distracted others, interrupting learning. The organisation of these activities was an improvement priority.

In July 2022, staff supported toileting, tissue disposal and using cutlery, but sometimes stepped in before children could finish tasks themselves. Pouring drinks and serving lunch were examples where children needed more time to practise. Independence required attention alongside the adult-led activities.

Meals and drinking water formed part of care that July, with dietary needs and allergies accommodated. A special educational needs coordinator also discussed support for children with additional needs during the visit.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised possible indications of harm, understood how to raise concerns about a child or colleague, and used recruitment checks to assess staff suitability. Children were also learning about their own safety: staff reminded them to take care on the balance beam. Protection involved both adult procedures and guidance during play.

Everyday self-care had practical examples in July 2022. Children were learning to manage the toilet, dispose of used tissues and handle cutlery. These small tasks gave them opportunities to take responsibility for their own needs. The concern about adults intervening too quickly mattered because pouring a drink or serving food offered further opportunities to practise the same independence.

Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 4JL is the nursery’s address. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holiday closures. That window matters for families arranging care around working hours.

In July 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation fact rather than a promise of entitlement for an individual family.

• Preschool group activities. In July 2022, distractions interrupted carpet-time learning. On a visit, ask how group activities now keep children involved.
• Everyday independence. The July 2022 improvement priorities included allowing children more opportunity to do routine tasks themselves. Ask how lunch and drink routines give them that practice.
• Attendance around work. The opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays. Ask which booking pattern would accommodate your working day.

Little Millers merits consideration for families needing weekday care across the year. Its July 2022 strengths were tangible: practical baking, shared stories and physical challenges adapted to children’s stages. The same dated account gives parents useful questions about preschool group learning and everyday independence. Those are the details to explore when deciding whether its day suits your child.