Little Toes Day Nursery Clifton

Attentive baby care and an emphasis on independence characterised Little Toes Day Nursery Clifton at its May 2024 inspection. At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall. The practical strengths were relationships, communication and helping children manage everyday tasks; the improvement priorities concerned how consistently learning was planned and shared with families.

Based at Sure Start, Greencroft, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8EY, the nursery has capacity for 61 children aged two months to five years. That is whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of any individual group.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2024 curriculum emphasised communication and independence as preparation for moving on to school: skills children could practise in their daily activities.

In May 2024, toddlers copied movements during action songs, while preschool children remembered story characters and anticipated what would happen next. These offered different ways to practise listening and expression. Babies explored a climbing frame with an adult's help, including support on the steps and slide, giving them an opportunity to try physical challenges with assistance.

The same month's observations also exposed uneven planning. Some assessments did not lead to sufficiently precise learning targets, and group activities did not consistently meet different developmental needs. The issue was the fit between an activity and the child taking part, rather than simply how many activities were offered.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and key-person arrangements, alongside good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language. Staff worked with families and other professionals on targeted support, and used additional funding to address individual needs.

In May 2024, settling began with conversations about children's familiar routines, interests and comfort needs. Settling sessions followed, while babies received responsive interaction and children who became upset were comforted. This made continuity between home and nursery a practical part of care.

Parents received everyday updates through conversations, but information about children's next learning steps was weaker. Everyday routines also needed attention: at dinner, children pushed food onto forks with their fingers because suitable additional cutlery had not been supplied. Independence needs appropriate equipment as well as encouragement.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening. The address is Sure Start, Greencroft, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8EY.

In May 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a particular funded place.

• Learning matched to the child. May 2024 assessments did not consistently produce suitably challenging next steps. At a visit, ask how an observation now becomes a planned activity for your child.
• Learning beyond nursery. In May 2024, parents received daily information but insufficient guidance about what to practise next. That distinction matters if you want to connect activities at home with nursery learning.
• Participation and independence. Group activities and everyday routines needed better adaptation in May 2024. Children need both an appropriate challenge and the equipment to take part successfully.

Little Toes suits families seeking year-round childcare. Communication, independence and relationships characterised its May 2024 provision. Its May 2024 strengths were practical and child-centred, from settling conversations to supported climbing. The balance is equally clear: individual learning targets, participation in routines and information for parents were the areas requiring closer attention.