Little Legs Nursery Cottesmore

Army-family life gives Little Legs Nursery Cottesmore its clearest character. In June 2021, most children attending had a parent serving in the British Army, and staff placed importance on dependable routines when parents were away. That is a meaningful starting point for families managing periods of separation.

At its June 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support and made good progress. The nursery has capacity for 65 children, with a current age range from birth to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: play sits alongside support for communication, physical development and relationships.

In June 2021, children's interests shaped activities. An interest in archaeology led to digging for dinosaurs in sand, giving imaginative play something tangible to explore. Conversations about what plants need encouraged children to extend their answers rather than simply name objects.

Physical play had substance too. In June 2021, young children used large indoor play equipment for climbing, while outdoor hoop games gave them opportunities to practise movement. Books offered a quieter counterpoint: babies explored story-related textures, and older children shared stories with staff on a sofa. These examples show how movement, language and imagination fitted into the inspection-era day.

Consistency mattered in June 2021. Staff recognised the disruption that a parent's absence could bring and used familiar routines to support children's sense of belonging. Gentle prompts helped children work through small disagreements, making relationships part of everyday learning.

Babies turned to familiar adults for reassurance in June 2021; singing and peekaboo helped them settle back into play. Staff also knew children's learning well enough to identify their next steps and choose resources around their interests.

Practical safety measures in June 2021 included locks on low windows and covers over radiator thermostats. Staff received child-protection training and knew how to raise concerns. These are dated examples of the arrangements behind the safeguarding judgement, rather than a claim about today's practice.

The address is H M Forces, Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore, OAKHAM, LE15 7BL. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year. That opening window is useful for families organising work around childcare.

In June 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Group activities. In June 2021, some group activities involved too many children, and simultaneous smaller groups created distracting noise. Ask how group activities are organised now and how quieter listening is protected.
• Digital safety. In June 2021, staff supervised electronic devices, but children needed more help understanding online risks. Ask how that learning now accompanies tablet use.
• Army-family routines. Support during parental absence was a clear theme in June 2021. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how familiar adults and routines would support your child through a separation.

Little Legs Nursery Cottesmore suits families looking for childcare within Kendrew Barracks, especially those for whom parental absence is part of family life. Its June 2021 account combines responsive play, familiar routines and practical emotional support. The two improvement points, group organisation and children's understanding of online risks, give families concrete topics to explore alongside those strengths.