Little Years Nursery, Kirkbymoorside

A rope bridge, market-stall discoveries and experiments with cornflour gave Little Years Nursery, Kirkbymoorside a practical, exploratory character in September 2023. Children had room to persevere, whether building a bridge with bricks or attempting a physical challenge with encouragement from staff. Everyday experiences supplied the learning.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 6 September 2023 inspection. Today, the setting accepts children aged 0 to 60 months at 23 Market Place, Kirkbymoorside. A specialist SEND & Inclusion Hub is planned for early 2027 at the same address, an important distinction for families considering specialist support: that development is a future offer.

In September 2023, children explored sound with a guitar, handled books and investigated water. Older children persisted with brick construction, while staff allowed time for children to attempt tasks themselves. The rope bridge provided a concrete example: reassurance accompanied the challenge rather than replacing the child's effort.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In parent terms, this brings learning into play and daily routines, including conversation, movement and practical exploration. In September 2023, staff planned next steps around children's development and interests, rather than treating activities as isolated entertainment.

Language learning was tangible. During cornflour-and-water play in September 2023, adults introduced vocabulary for the changing mixture and listened to children's responses. Books, rhymes and songs also supplied opportunities for conversation. Mathematical ideas came through a floor jigsaw, counting songs and comparisons of weight as younger children filled buckets with pebbles and sand.

Community learning extended beyond the building. In September 2023, walks to the local park included pauses to examine market produce, flowers and changing leaves. These outings connected physical activity with nature, safety and the surrounding community. They made ordinary local places useful teaching resources.

There was a clear weakness alongside these examples: children had too few chances to initiate writing and mark-making for different purposes. Independent exploration needed to extend to early writing too.

At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, making good progress from their starting points. Staff monitored development and acted when children needed extra help or greater challenge, giving the positive judgement a practical basis.

Warm interactions and physical reassurance characterised care in September 2023. Staff encouraged sharing and turn-taking with praise and gentle reminders, helping children practise social skills during play. Parents received spoken and electronic feedback about learning, connecting nursery experiences with conversations at home.

In September 2023, meals and snacks accommodated allergies and dietary preferences, while mealtimes supported independence and manners. These were care arrangements at that date, rather than a promise about an individual child's present dietary provision.

The address is 23 Market Place, Kirkbymoorside, York, YO62 6AA. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas week. That opening window gives families a useful starting point for planning work and travel.

In September 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. For paid childcare, current prices should come in a written quotation from the nursery.

Looking ahead, the SEND & Inclusion Hub is planned to open in early 2027. Its proposed Specialist Pre-School Sessions run from 9.30am to 1.30pm and include government funding hours. Weekly Support Meetings and Stay & Play Sessions are also planned, bringing family contact alongside the specialist preschool offer. These arrangements belong to the forthcoming hub, rather than the nursery's current attendance offer.

Enquiries about the Kirkbymoorside setting can be made on 01751 798188 or by email to kms@littleyearsnursery.co.uk.

• A changing offer. The specialist hub is planned for early 2027 at the nursery's address. At a visit, ask how your child's attendance and support would work before and after that development.
• Independent early writing. In September 2023, opportunities for children to choose writing and mark-making needed strengthening. Look for accessible materials and examples of children using them for their own purposes.
• Staff development. In September 2023, evaluation of training needed greater precision to identify where practitioners required further guidance. Ask how training now changes everyday practice, alongside how meals, consumables and funded attendance would work for your child.

Little Years suits families seeking a small setting with an inspection-era record of practical exploration and learning through the local community.

The forthcoming specialist hub gives families considering SEND support another reason to examine this address closely. Keep the two offers separate when deciding: the nursery's dated strengths are concrete, while the specialist sessions and family-support programme are planned for early 2027. Independent writing and the evaluation of staff training remain useful points to explore.