Little Goslings

Bus journeys, a wildlife garden and songs with care-home residents give Little Goslings a community-facing character. In September 2024, children’s experiences extended beyond the nursery to everyday errands and encounters with nature, giving their play connections to the world around them.

At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Little Goslings Good and found safeguarding effective. The nursery at 160 Warwick Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1HH has capacity for 49 children aged 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children’s learning, development and care: play supports learning alongside everyday care routines. In September 2024, children could choose between outdoor and indoor activities, with resources organised around their interests.

Mathematics grew from practical experiences that month. Younger children made shapes with water and brushes; older children weighed potion ingredients and compared the height of constructions. Stories, songs and imaginative conversations brought language into play, while water running through a funnel helped children explore how movement happens.

Community experiences were concrete. In September 2024, children took bus trips, visited a café and learnt about posting letters. A pond and wildlife garden at local allotments introduced the natural world; singing and crafts at a nearby care home brought contact with older generations. Back in the nursery garden, bicycles and equipment for climbing, balancing and sliding supported physical play.

Settling involved parents and key persons in September 2024, with the move into nursery planned together. Clear guidance helped children understand behaviour and recognise how their actions affected others. Self-care practice also supported preparation for school.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that managers sought professional help when children had developmental gaps, supported families facing difficulties and used additional funding effectively for disadvantaged children. These were practical forms of support, rather than simply an invitation to raise concerns.

Freshly prepared cooked meals formed part of children’s diet in September 2024, alongside learning about exercise and caring for teeth. Managers also gathered views from children, parents and staff, giving families a role in shaping changes.

Little Goslings is at 160 Warwick Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1HH. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening except bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In September 2024, the nursery offered funded early education to children aged two, three and four. That dated participation is separate from deciding which attendance arrangement works for a family.

• Support for newcomers. In September 2024, some children new to the nursery wandered between activities and needed more guidance to begin purposeful play. On a visit, ask how a key person helps a new child choose and sustain an activity.
• Home languages. September 2024 improvement priorities included giving children more opportunities to develop and use the languages spoken at home. Families using another language should explore how it will feature in their child’s play.
• Attendance arrangements. The weekday opening window runs from 8am to 6pm. Which booking pattern would accommodate your working hours and your child’s routine?

Little Goslings will interest families who value community experiences and learning linked to everyday life, and whose routines fit its weekday opening hours. The September 2024 picture combines practical play, planned settling and family support. The two improvement priorities matter: newcomers needed clearer help engaging with activities, and home languages needed more space in the day.