Little Goslings

Fields, woodland and a pond give Little Goslings its character. Set on a working arable farm outside Kirton, the nursery uses its 16-acre surroundings for gardening, outdoor play and learning about nature. A mud kitchen and wooden cabin add places to play within that wider setting. For families who want the outdoors to shape their child's day, this is the clearest reason to consider it.

At its 12 May 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance to meet the expected standard, with safeguarding standards met. There are specific improvements to pursue: more consistent teaching interactions, better correction of mathematical mistakes and less waiting during changes between activities. The farm setting is an attraction; those everyday teaching details deserve equal weight.

Little Goslings has 20 places in total, rather than a stated cap for each room. Its childcare offer starts at six weeks and runs to three years, with care for older children during school holidays. The ordinary opening window is 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays.

Rooms and Ages

The indoor spaces are organised around activities and care. The Lounge & Play Room brings together books, treasure baskets and role-play resources for imaginative play. In the Dining / Messy Room, eating shares space with baking, art and messy activities, with access to the garden. These give children different ways to explore materials, stories and everyday tasks.

Quiet has its own places too. The Sensory Room contains objects for calmer exploration, while the Sleep Rooms provide space for rest. That distinction matters in a setting with busy creative activities as well as very young children: the indoor offer includes places to pause alongside places to play.

In May 2026, children of different ages played alongside one another, and staff adjusted their teaching to children's development. This was a shared-age arrangement, with practitioners working with different children through the day. It should not be read as a statement about the size of any individual group.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning and care, with emphasis here on communication, physical development and children's social and emotional development. In parent language, that means helping children express themselves, use their bodies and build relationships through their experiences and play. The farm surroundings supply practical material for those experiences; they sit alongside the framework rather than replace it.

In May 2026, story activities connected imagination with other learning. Children reconstructed characters using dough and natural objects gathered in the garden, while book-related tasks also introduced numbers and mathematical ideas. Some sustained their creative play for lengthy periods. Story recall linked creative play with number learning, giving children opportunities to practise several skills within one activity.

There was a teaching weakness within this work. In May 2026, staff sometimes left children's mathematical mistakes uncorrected, and the consistency of adult interactions needed improvement. Enjoyment of an activity and accurate understanding are separate considerations; both matter as children begin to work with numbers.

Outdoor and Community Life

Two large gardens extend into fields and woodland. The outdoor resources include a sandpit and climbing equipment, while the pond supports nature learning and boat rides. Dogs, a cat and ponies are also part of the setting's outdoor offer. This gives the farm character concrete substance, beyond simply having a garden.

In May 2026, older children used balance bikes, while younger children climbed on small cubes and slides with staff nearby. Children also talked about a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Movement and observation sat together: the outdoor spaces supported physical play as well as attention to the natural world.

Relationships and Communication

Daily Diaries go home after sessions, covering food, activities, wellbeing and achievements. Tapestry, an online learning journal, adds photographs and observations that parents can access during the day; consent is sought before photographs are taken. The two channels serve different purposes: the diary helps explain the immediate day, while the journal builds a picture of learning over time.

A Parents' Board carries themes, forthcoming events and information about community services and activities. Parents are also expected to share changes in their child's circumstances with staff. Communication therefore includes practical information from the nursery and information from home that may affect care.

In May 2026, key persons noticed when children needed additional attention and responded to their emotional needs. Babies were held during bottle-feeding and comforted towards sleep; older children could spend time in quieter spaces with their key person when the setting felt overwhelming. These were concrete examples of care being adapted to different ages and needs.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At its May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that leaders identified developmental delays promptly, worked with families and other professionals to address barriers, and had knowledgeable staff responsible for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). That finding concerns practical support and collaboration, rather than a promise that every child's needs will take the same form.

In May 2026, younger children slept outside, and preparations were under way for changes to sleep arrangements. That makes sleep a useful subject for a visit, especially for parents of babies. The Sleep Rooms are part of the indoor provision, but the dated outdoor practice should not be treated as the current routine.

Most meals are homemade with fresh ingredients, including produce and meat sourced from local farm shops and butchers; families may instead send a packed lunch or food to be heated. Dietary requirements and allergens are discussed before attendance, so food arrangements can form part of planning a child's care.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Chestnut Farm Cottage, Washdyke Lane, The Meeres, Kirton, Boston, PE20 1PW. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year. Occasional extensions can be arranged on request for an additional charge. This is an opening window, rather than a promise of any particular session length.

Christmas and New Year bring a two-week closure, and the nursery also closes on Bank Holidays, without charging for those days. The contact form accepts a name, email address, telephone number and message. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Care Supplies and Attendance Terms

Families send nappies, wipes, formula and bottles, together with spare clothes, outdoor clothing, Wellington Boots and a comforter. Having those personal supplies ready is part of the practical routine, especially for children whose day includes fields, woodland or messy play. Items should be named and brought to each session.

If a child is ill, the full-day charge still applies. If staff illness causes the setting to close, families are not charged for that closure. These terms make the reason for an absence financially relevant, so they belong alongside the opening hours when planning childcare.

• Teaching consistency. The May 2026 priorities include adult interactions and correcting mathematical misunderstandings. Ask how coaching now helps staff address both during children's play.
• Changes between activities. In May 2026, some routine changes left children waiting and reduced their engagement. Ask how the day is organised now to keep these moments purposeful.
• Baby sleep. Outdoor sleep arrangements were being prepared for change in May 2026. During a visit, discuss the current routine and how your baby's sleep needs would be met.
• Farm activities. The pond, boat rides and contact with animals are part of the offer. Discuss how participation is managed for your child's age and needs, alongside any dietary requirements.

Little Goslings suits families who want farm surroundings to contribute to early childhood, with fields, woodland, gardening and nature learning alongside indoor creative and quiet spaces. Weekday opening across the year and holiday care for older children give it practical relevance beyond its outdoor character.

The May 2026 position is balanced: expected standards across the assessed areas, supported by examples of attentive personal care and engaging play, with clear work to do on teaching consistency and daily transitions. Those priorities are central to the choice. The strongest fit is a family drawn to the farm experience who also wants a close discussion about how ordinary care and learning are organised.