Little Grove Childcare

Independence gives Little Grove Childcare its clearest character: babies choosing resources, younger children managing their belongings and older children serving food. At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found that safeguarding was effective and teaching supported communication well.

Based in Congresbury, the nursery accepts children from birth to 60 months and has 53 places in total. Its opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year.

In September 2024, children practised independence through everyday tasks. Younger children worked on putting on shoes and coats with adult help; older children poured drinks and took responsibility for their personal care. These are useful opportunities to practise doing things for themselves before school.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care. Here, the September 2024 examples included learning through exploration, conversation and practical tasks: babies selected things that interested them, while songs, repeated language and stories helped children build vocabulary.

Outdoor access was a substantial part of the day in September 2024, including for babies. An activity tray gave babies something to pull themselves up against, while ride-in cars helped younger children practise movement and coordination. Older children also went swimming, adding experience in the water to their physical activity.

There was a clear teaching improvement to make. In September 2024, opportunities to develop number understanding during play were sometimes missed. Staff development needed to help practitioners build children’s number understanding more effectively during play.

Settling took account of individual children in September 2024. Staff spent time learning about babies’ routines and families’ needs before children stayed independently, giving care a starting point in what was familiar to each child.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found good support for children’s feelings and behaviour, an inclusive approach involving parents in decisions, and effective assessment that helped staff identify children needing additional help.

Daily care in September 2024 included oral-health activities, drinking water and encouragement to make safe choices while climbing. Staff responded gently to children and used praise to encourage persistence. Children ate nutritious meals, and the team included a cook.

Lunchtime needed better organisation for older children in September 2024. Some waited at tables long enough to become restless, and singing did not hold everyone’s attention. Better lunchtime organisation was needed to support older children’s behaviour.

The address is 26 Wrington Road, Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5AR. The year-round opening pattern provides weekday care, with the Christmas closure and bank holidays to build into family arrangements.

In September 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four, including children receiving disability access funding. This describes participation at that time rather than an assurance of a funded place today.

• Numbers through play. September 2024 identified missed opportunities to extend mathematical learning. During a visit, ask how staff now develop counting and number understanding within children’s chosen activities.
• Older children’s lunch. In September 2024, waiting at tables sometimes led to restlessness. Ask how lunchtime is organised now and how children stay involved.
• Attendance arrangements. Opening hours span 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays. What booking pattern and funding arrangement would fit your child’s intended attendance?

Little Grove suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare and an emphasis on children becoming more independent. The September 2024 picture combines practical self-care, outdoor movement and close attention to settling. Number learning and older children’s lunchtime organisation are the two specific improvements to explore when choosing it.