Little Lattons Nursery

Jelly, tweezers and scissors mark a clear progression in Little Lattons Nursery's August 2024 nursery day: early exploration developed into increasingly controlled hand movements. That practical approach gives this Harlow setting its strongest character. Learning took shape through things children could handle, stories they could extend and everyday tasks they could do for themselves.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 9 August 2024. Little Lattons Nursery accepts children from 6 months to 5 years and has 51 places in total, at Latton Green Primary School on Riddings Lane. The nursery operates across the year, giving families an attendance calendar that extends beyond school terms.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: their day brings together communication, physical skills and learning about the world through play and everyday experiences. In August 2024, activities built on children's existing abilities rather than introducing the same task to every age group.

Babies explored jelly with their fingers; toddlers practised picking objects up with tweezers; preschool children cut out shapes they had drawn. Each stage involved more precise movements. These examples make preparation for writing tangible, beginning with handling materials rather than expecting young children to start with pencil work.

Language also ran through ordinary play. In August 2024, adults used songs, rhymes and books to introduce vocabulary, listened carefully to children and repeated language to help them practise. Older children invented stories inspired by favourite books. This gave them a chance to use language creatively as well as listen to it.

Mathematics appeared in small investigations: children searched for insects with binoculars and magnifying glasses, then counted their discoveries. Adults also introduced numbers through road signs. Learning about Romanian, Greek and Italian cultures broadened conversations beyond children's own experiences, connecting differences between people with things they could discuss together.

Outdoor and Community Life

The nursery garden was part of the August 2024 learning day, including shared books outdoors. Walkers, bicycles and equipment for balancing gave children different ways to practise movement. Outdoor time therefore included both active play and quieter experiences, rather than serving only as a break between indoor activities.

Independence mattered too. Children practised pouring drinks, washing their hands and managing the toilet. These are small steps with direct value for family life and the eventual move to school: children get opportunities to attempt tasks themselves while adults remain involved.

A key person takes responsibility for each child's welfare and development at Little Lattons. That gives families a specific staff relationship around which to build communication, rather than treating care as an interchangeable responsibility across the team.

In August 2024, staff spent the settling period getting to know children alongside their families, and gave parents feedback at collection. The improvement priority was more specific than simply communicating more: some parents needed better information about progress and guidance for extending learning at home. A daily account of activities and practical advice about a child's next steps serve different purposes.

At the August 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made progress, with visual prompts helping them understand changes in the day's routines. Those prompts made the next activity easier to anticipate, a concrete example of support within everyday nursery life.

The nursery publishes staffing ratios of one adult to three children under two, one to five for children aged two to three, and one to eight for children aged three and over. These are the standard minimum ratios for those ages; they describe staffing arrangements rather than the size of a room or group.

Sessions and Attendance

Little Lattons Nursery is at Latton Green Primary School, Riddings Lane, Harlow, CM18 7HT. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Families planning care around work should account for those closures as well as the daily opening window.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01279 444840. This provides a direct contact for the nursery itself.

Funding and Paid Extras

In August 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated participation fact rather than a promise of eligibility for an individual child.

Moving on to School

The nursery's address places it at Latton Green Primary School. Attending Little Lattons does not guarantee a Reception place there: families apply for Reception through Essex County Council. Nursery attendance and the school application therefore need to be planned separately.

• Learning beyond nursery. The August 2024 improvement priority concerned guidance for supporting learning at home. During a visit, ask how progress updates now translate into activities or advice tailored to your child.
• Clothing from age two. Uniform includes a green polo shirt, a sweatshirt bearing the Little Lattons logo, grey or black joggers or leggings, and trainers. Shoes must fasten with Velcro, and wellies stay at the setting for outdoor learning. Factor these requirements into preparations for starting.
• Attendance and funding together. With opening hours spanning 8am to 6pm and funded education recorded in August 2024, ask which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would cover your family's intended attendance, including how meals and consumables are charged or supplied.

Little Lattons suits families seeking year-round nursery care with a key person relationship and practical preparation for greater independence. Its August 2024 examples are persuasive: handling jelly, using tweezers, creating stories and investigating insects gave learning a clear place in the nursery day.

The decision point is communication about progress. Families who want usable guidance for learning at home should give that part of a visit close attention, alongside the clothing requirements and annual closures.