Little Cherubs

Rabbits to care for, food lists to write and stories about feelings: everyday experiences gave Little Cherubs its character in July 2024. This Woodville setting, at 3 Burton Rd in Swadlincote, has capacity for 46 children, with an accepted age range of 0 to 108 months.

At its 10 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Little Cherubs Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received strong support through individual planning and work with outside agencies. Two improvements were required: greater challenge for the most able children and routines that kept toddlers actively occupied.

In July 2024, learning followed children's interests and their next steps. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, its everyday expression included conversation, physical play, stories and growing independence.

Babies practised words and joined action songs, while toddlers explored emotions through books and conversation. Food became another starting point for language: children discussed coriander and the shapes of pasta at lunch. These examples connected vocabulary with things children could experience directly.

Physical activity worked at different scales. During July 2024, children manipulated spaghetti with tweezers, giving their fingers practice with precise movements, and had outdoor opportunities each day for climbing and running. Older children helped look after rabbits, discussing their food and bedding. Responsibility had a practical purpose.

Writing also belonged to play. Children made food lists in a pretend kitchen, connecting mark making with imaginative play. However, in July 2024, some interactions did not stretch the most able older children sufficiently. Families seeking greater challenge should weigh that alongside the activities themselves.

In July 2024, babies received comfort and reassurance, with care organised around their individual routines. Older children built friendships and chatted during play. Independence was practised through manageable tasks, including dealing with coats and clearing plates after meals.

Communication extended beyond the nursery day. In July 2024, staff discussed children's activities with parents at handovers, and families could borrow bags of learning resources for home. This gave parents practical ways to continue an interest or activity together.

School preparation also centred on independence and a willing approach to learning in July 2024. Staff identified the skills they wanted children to develop before moving on, with independence and a positive attitude to learning among their priorities for school preparation.

Little Cherubs is at 3 Burton Rd, Woodville, Swadlincote, DE11 7JE.

In July 2024, opening hours ran from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, with a two-week Christmas closure. At that time, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are inspection-date arrangements.

• Challenge for older children. In July 2024, some staff interactions gave the most able children too little stretch. During a visit, ask how activities are extended when a child already understands the task.
• Toddlers' daily rhythm. In July 2024, toddlers spent prolonged periods inactive around snacks and lunch. Ask how those parts of the day now keep children involved.

Little Cherubs suits families who value practical independence, language woven into play and everyday responsibilities such as caring for animals. Those preferences match the July 2024 account of nursery life. The decision points are equally concrete: the challenge offered to confident older learners and the organisation of toddlers' mealtimes deserve attention during a visit.