Little Journeys Day Nursery

Butterfly masks, growing vegetables and nursery snails give Little Journeys Day Nursery a recognisable character in its October 2021 account of children's play. At its October 2021 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. That is a dated assessment, with practical examples of children's choices and relationships behind it.

Based at Sutton Cricket Club in St. Helens, the nursery has 33 places in total for children aged 0 to 60 months. Its opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

In October 2021, children chose to draw butterflies and make butterfly masks, returning through play to their experience of watching caterpillars become butterflies. Stories also prompted conversations about characters, food and new vocabulary. These examples give parents a concrete picture of how children's interests shaped activities.

The nursery follows the early years foundation stage. In October 2021, this translated into experiences such as discussing stories, practising independent feeding and choosing play materials: language and practical independence sat alongside children's own ideas.

In October 2021, children had opportunities to plant flowers and vegetables, while caring for snails gave them another living thing to look after. Babies explored movement and sensory play with adults supporting their attempts. However, planned outdoor and group activities did not consistently connect with each child's learning needs. The breadth of activities was only part of the picture; the adult's response mattered too.

In October 2021, babies sought comfort from staff, and adults drew on familiar songs and conversations about family life during lunch. Children helped friends find coats and practised managing their own belongings, with individual pegs giving them a practical place to do so.

Communication with families in October 2021 included discussions about achievements both at home and in nursery. Staff also helped children prepare for family changes and starting school, connecting care with events beyond the nursery day.

Food in October 2021 was cooked at home-style meals, with drinking water accessible and provision adapted for individual diets and allergies. These are historical care arrangements, rather than a description of today's menu.

The address is Sutton Cricket Club, 168a New Street, St. Helens, WA9 3UU. The nursery opens throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas; its weekday opening window runs from 7.30am until 6pm.

In October 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That dated offer should be kept separate from the attendance and funding arrangements a family needs now.

• Individual attention during activities. In October 2021, group work and outdoor play did not consistently address individual learning needs, and staff development systems missed some knowledge gaps. A visit can explore how practitioners now adapt activities and review their own practice.
• Attendance and funding. The nursery opens across the year but closes for bank holidays and a Christmas week. Which booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements, including meals and consumables, would apply to your child?

Little Journeys suits families seeking care within a weekday opening window and across the year. Its October 2021 account offers appealing examples of child-led choices, practical independence and close relationships, balanced by clear concerns about individualising activities and identifying staff development needs. Those dated strengths and concerns give families a useful starting point for assessing the nursery today.