Little Gems Day Care Nursery

A cardboard-box ambulance, pumpkin growing and familiar stories give Little Gems Day Care Nursery its character: learning built around things young children can handle, imagine and talk about. Those examples belong to October 2021, rather than a picture of today's daily routine.

At its October 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found that teaching supported children's progress and judged safeguarding effective. The nursery has 25 places in total and is based at Little Reddings Primary School in Bushey.

In October 2021, the children attending were aged 0 to 3. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, the inspection-era examples included language, counting, imaginative play and growing plants.

Younger children explored dough with their hands and tools, while older children turned it into pretend cakes to serve to staff. The Three Little Pigs gave older children a familiar story to retell. These activities brought conversation and imagination into practical play.

During October 2021, climbing equipment also became a setting for learning words about position and movement. Children investigated butterfly development, planted sunflowers and grew pumpkins. A large cardboard box became an ambulance that children made together, giving cooperative play a concrete purpose.

Learning about the Jewish New Year and Chinese New Year introduced cultural celebrations in October 2021. Outdoor play included muddy puddles, rockers and a slide, although the learning opportunities outside needed further development.

At the October 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that children had secure relationships with staff, that communication with parents supported continuity of care, and that newcomers to the staff team needed clearer induction.

In October 2021, practitioners learnt younger children's routines at home and gave parents daily accounts of their child's day, with further information accessible online. This connected nursery care with family routines and helped parents follow what children were learning.

Independence was practised through small responsibilities that month: children helped clear away toys and learnt to manage their outdoor clothing. Praise recognised effort as well as achievement. Staff also used observations of children's interests and existing skills to shape subsequent activities.

The address is Little Reddings Primary School, Harcourt Road, Bushey, WD23 3PR. In October 2021, opening hours were 7.45am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. That historical pattern matters for families whose childcare needs extend into school holidays.

Being based at Little Reddings Primary School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families seeking a state-school place still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Outdoor learning. In October 2021, the resources outside were less accessible and offered fewer possibilities for developing children's ideas than those indoors. On a visit, ask how outdoor activities now extend children's learning.
• Staff induction. October 2021 brought a recommendation to strengthen how new practitioners learnt their responsibilities and accessed training. Ask how newcomers are prepared before taking on their duties.
• Term-time planning. The October 2021 opening pattern followed school terms. What attendance arrangements now suit your family's working year?

Little Gems suits parents who value practical play, conversation and everyday independence as foundations for early learning. The October 2021 examples make that approach tangible, from retelling The Three Little Pigs to building an ambulance together. The Good judgement sits alongside specific priorities for staff induction and outdoor learning, making those useful subjects for a visit.