The Little Sweethearts Montessori

Indoor bike riding and puppet-led storytelling gave this Camberley nursery a recognisable character at its September 2024 inspection. The Little Sweethearts Montessori operates at St Paul's Church, Crawley Ridge, GU15 2AD, and has capacity for 28 children.

At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and highlighted the strength of individual support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children attending then were aged two to three. The clearest reservation concerned how consistently staff stretched children's learning.

In September 2024, children explored The Gruffalo through puppets and storytelling props, joining in familiar wording and anticipating the next part. Small-group activities gave them opportunities to practise conversation and social skills. Books were a starting point for participation, rather than simply something to listen to.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2024 examples included physical play and practical exploration: an indoor space for bikes, syringes for moving water between containers, and a sand suitcase with scoops and pots. These offered different ways to practise movement and hand control.

Children also selected activities and put resources away afterwards. However, in September 2024, staff sometimes missed chances to build on that self-directed play; further coaching was needed to make curriculum planning more precise for individual children.

Settling arrangements were tailored to individual children in September 2024, giving families time to establish a relationship with their key person. Communication with parents was regular. For children learning English alongside another language, staff requested familiar words from home so that communication could draw on both.

Individual SEND plans brought together parents and other professionals in September 2024. Everyday independence also received attention: children managed coats and indoor shoes, served their own snacks and washed their plates afterwards. Handwashing before food connected daily routines with learning about health.

In September 2024, the nursery operated during term time, opening from 8am to 2.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 8am to 3.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday. These are dated opening hours, rather than bookable session descriptions.

At that time, it received early-education funding for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That funding participation is separate from the ages of children attending during the visit.

• Challenge during chosen play. September 2024 teaching did not consistently extend activities children selected themselves. Ask how practitioners now develop those moments and how curriculum coaching has changed their planning.
• Attendance fit. The September 2024 timetable was term-time only, with different closing times across the week. Before committing, ask which current attendance arrangement fits your family's routine and what its written quotation includes.

The September 2024 picture will appeal to families who value practical independence, conversational learning and an individual settling process. The September 2024 picture combines purposeful everyday activities with a clear teaching-development priority. Its dated term-time timetable makes attendance fit a central decision alongside the care and learning approach.