Little Oaks

Forest visits and indoor climbing give Little Oaks a practical, active character. In May 2025, children explored small creatures outdoors and practised balancing on large equipment indoors, bringing nature and physical movement into their learning.

Ofsted rated Little Oaks Good at its 21 May 2025 inspection, finding that its curriculum supported children's progress. The nursery has capacity for 40 children, with its address in Portslade, at Mile Oak Junior School on Graham Avenue, Brighton BN41 2WN. Children attending in May 2025 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2025 curriculum emphasised confidence and preparation for school, with activities planned around each child's development and next learning steps.

In May 2025, forest visits gave children opportunities to learn about nature and remember safety rules around a fire circle. Their interest extended to noticing snails in wet weather. Indoors, climbing and balancing equipment let children practise movement, safe use and taking turns.

Books also had a clear place in the day that May. Children chose them independently, while shared reading opened conversations about stories, letters and word meanings. A sand tray provided another opportunity to share resources and practise considerate play.

At the May 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified coordinated support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, involving specialists in sensory play alongside speech and language therapists. That shared work connected nursery learning with the support children received from other professionals.

Relationships in May 2025 included staff making time to talk with children about family events. Parents received updates about activities and development, were invited to discuss forthcoming learning and ways to support it at home, and had a communication board to help information circulate.

Staff development also received attention that May: mathematics training informed teaching, while supervision meetings addressed wellbeing and further training needs. Independence was less consistent. Children practised washing their hands and clearing snack bowls, but adults sometimes missed opportunities to let them attempt tasks themselves.

In May 2025, Little Oaks operated on the Mile Oak Primary School site in Portslade, near Brighton. Its opening hours then were 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. That calendar makes school holidays an important consideration for families arranging care.

Government-funded early education was provided for children aged two to four in May 2025. Attendance at a nursery on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Independence in everyday tasks. The May 2025 improvement point concerned adults consistently helping children do more for themselves. During a visit, ask how staff now encourage children to attempt manageable tasks before stepping in.
• Term-time planning. The May 2025 opening pattern excluded school holidays. How would the nursery's attendance calendar fit your family's working year?
• School-site expectations. Little Oaks operated from Mile Oak Primary School in May 2025. Keep the nursery choice and the Reception application separate: nursery attendance does not secure a school place.

Little Oaks suits families who value active play, contact with nature and preparation for school, and whose childcare needs fit the term-time pattern described in May 2025. Forest visits, indoor movement and shared reading give that judgement substance. The practical point to explore is how staff have developed children's independence since the May 2025 improvement recommendation.