Little Skaters Nursery & Pre-School

A separate garden for babies and toddlers, an open-plan play setting and a dedicated baby sleep room give Little Skaters Nursery & Pre-School a clear character: outdoor play and younger children's routines both have a place. Based at Stockleigh Hall in St Leonards-on-Sea, it has capacity for 50 children from birth to five. Those are whole-setting places, rather than the size of an individual group.

At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, with effective safeguarding, while identifying the need for more mathematical language and more consistent extension of children's learning. The practical appeal today includes individually arranged childcare alongside morning, afternoon and full-day sessions. Families can choose between shorter periods and a longer day rather than organise everything around one finishing time.

Rooms and Ages

Baby Room and Pre-school Room each have a room leader, with school preparation emphasised for older children. Open-plan play supports interaction between peers; the separate toddler and baby garden gives younger children their own outdoor space.

A dedicated baby sleep room provides a separate place for rest. Outdoor learning includes nature and the world outside.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework connects learning through play with language, movement and everyday independence. The February 2023 examples included discussing book pictures, climbing and learning to feed themselves; observations of play inform staff planning and assessment. It is the educational foundation here, with activities built around children's interests and individual needs. The key person's monthly observations and assessments help connect what a child enjoys doing with what they are ready to learn next.

In February 2023, children experimented with making bubbles using straws and explored coloured rice by filling and emptying containers. These examples show how familiar materials could sustain attention and give children something concrete to investigate. Books were within children's reach, with babies turning pages and older children talking about illustrations. Reading therefore extended beyond an adult-led story to children's own exploration of books.

That February 2023 picture also had clear limitations. Mathematical vocabulary was not consistently developed during planned activities, and some staff missed opportunities to take children's interests into further learning. The improvement priorities concerned both number and shape experiences and the consistency of teaching. They matter because an absorbing activity needs adult interaction that helps a child understand more, rather than simply stay occupied.

Outdoor and Community Life

Time outside and learning about nature are part of the nursery's approach.

In February 2023, babies used climbing equipment, and children had outdoor opportunities for running and climbing. These were practical ways to develop movement and coordination. Indoor social play included group games and pretending to care for babies, giving older children opportunities to practise cooperation and relationships alongside physical activity.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person, providing a clear contact for family concerns and sharing the child's learning journey. Parents can discuss progress around sessions where possible, with fuller consultation events each term. An online learning journey also allows parents to see observations and contribute comments, so communication can continue beyond a brief conversation at collection.

Settling begins with taster sessions before the start date, adjusted to the individual child. A booklet completed with the key person gathers information about the child, and early sessions bring written and visual monitoring with regular feedback to parents. This gives staff a way to learn about home routines and gives families a continuing account of how the transition is going.

In February 2023, staff comforted upset children and supported everyday independence: babies practised feeding themselves, older children poured drinks and preschool children put on coats. Care and preparation for education were linked through ordinary routines. Handwashing and cleaning faces were also part of the day, alongside a designated sleeping space for babies.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Support is organised through the key person and SENCO, with individual education plans reviewed regularly and more specific targets set through a Setting Based Support Plan when needed. Referrals for outside expertise, such as speech or occupational therapy, require parental permission. Children’s Integrated Therapy Service and Early Years Teaching and Support Service are among the services used, giving families concrete routes through which additional help can be coordinated.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children with SEND were supported well through targeted plans and external professional input, helping them make good progress. The current support plans give families a practical starting point for discussing their child's needs.

Physical access includes a stair-free setting, wheelchair access, an accessible toilet and a flat outside area. Rooms can accommodate specialist equipment. The team includes a designated safeguarding lead, a deputy safeguarding lead and an individual needs assistant: these are identifiable responsibilities, rather than a substitute for assessing how arrangements work in practice.

Moving towards primary school includes inviting the future class teacher to visit when possible, transition work with schools and a preparation booklet for parents. These arrangements concern children's readiness and continuity of care, helping families understand the change ahead.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Stockleigh Hall, Stockleigh Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 0JP. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year. Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01424 717857 or through the contact form.

Paid sessions vary by age. For babies, the morning runs from 9am to midday; for children aged two and above, it runs from 9am to 1pm. Both age groups have an afternoon session from 1pm to 4pm and a full day from 8am to 6pm. Breakfast is a separate 7.30am to 8am session, with an early morning period from 8am to 9am and tea from 4pm to 6pm.

Funded baby patterns include 8am to 1pm, a school day of 9am to 4pm, an afternoon of 1pm to 4pm and tea from 4pm to 6pm. For funded children aged two and above, the choices include 8am to 1pm, 9am to noon, 1pm to 4pm, a 9am to 4pm school day and an 8am to 6pm day. The different morning windows matter when coordinating work and collection.

Individually arranged flexible sessions are offered to families paying for hours beyond their funding and to families using 30 funded hours. A finish at 4pm or 5pm is possible under these arrangements. There is also a two-week annual fee holiday for time spent with a child away from nursery.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes provision for eligible two-year-olds and three- and four-year-olds, alongside funded baby sessions from nine months to two years and 30-hour funding. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation; the session times and costs explain the charge structure.

Freshly cooked meals are offered: standard food is included for paid sessions and funded babies, while funded children aged two and above have snacks included and hot meals charged separately; parents supply food for special dietary requirements for children aged two and above, while babies' special dietary requirements are excluded from their package. Nappies and wipes are included for babies, including funded babies, but parents provide them for children aged two and above, and formula milk is excluded from the baby package.

• Teaching beyond the activity. February 2023 improvement priorities concerned mathematical language and consistent extension of learning. On a visit, ask how number, shape and spontaneous questions are developed during play now.
• Different session windows. Paid baby mornings end at midday, while paid mornings for children aged two and above end at 1pm. Compare the relevant funded or paid pattern with your working day and ask how an individually arranged finish would work.
• Food and changing supplies. Funded hot meals for children aged two and above are charged separately, and this age group needs nappies and wipes from home. Families managing allergies or special diets should confirm the current food arrangements before booking.

Little Skaters suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as a full day, with individually arranged finishing times adding practical flexibility. The separate younger children's garden, baby sleep room and structured key-person communication give parents concrete features to weigh. Its February 2023 teaching priorities remain useful questions for a visit, while the SENCO, support plans and accessible layout provide specific starting points for families discussing additional needs.