Little Bunnies Nursery

Gardening, balance beams and imaginative play give Little Bunnies Nursery a practical, active character in its January 2025 account of daily life. Based at The Crooked Billet in Stanford-le-hope, it has capacity for 44 children.

At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that staff worked successfully with professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children attending then were aged 2 to 4.

In January 2025, children explored soil, flowers and water through gardening, while the home corner supported imaginative play. Outdoors, climbing, tricycles and balance beams gave them opportunities to practise movement and coordination. Chalk, crayons and play dough supported the hand control needed for later writing.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the January 2025 activities illustrated learning through play, conversation and practical tasks. Songs and stories introduced vocabulary, and staff used words from children's home languages to support communication.

There were teaching weaknesses alongside those experiences. In January 2025, mathematical learning was not woven consistently into play, and some activities offered too little extra challenge. The improvement priorities were clearer sequencing in mathematics, greater staff confidence with early mathematical ideas and a shared understanding of what activities should teach. These matter because enjoyable play also needs a clear next step for each child.

In January 2025, staff gathered children's interests from parents and used them to shape activities. Settling and transitions were supported, with two-way communication helping parents understand their child's progress and continue learning at home.

Daily routines also built independence in January 2025. Children practised personal hygiene, eating at a table and taking turns. Conversations about food and teeth connected healthy habits with everyday experience, while these practical skills supported preparation for school.

The address is The Crooked Billet, Rainbows End, Billet Lane, Stanford-le-hope, SS17 0AR.

In January 2025, opening hours were 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. Funded early education was provided for eligible children at that time. These are dated operating details, rather than a current attendance promise.

• Teaching next steps. Mathematics and the precision of teaching were January 2025 improvement priorities. During a visit, ask how counting and other early mathematical ideas now progress through children's play.
• Later compliance action. Ofsted's outcome dated 2 July 2026 reported that a 23 June 2026 regulatory visit identified unmet requirements and action taken to put matters right, including staff training, refreshed safeguarding knowledge and additional procedures for staff-to-child ratios. The document followed repeated ratio concerns; families should discuss how those procedures operate in daily practice.

Little Bunnies suits families who value active play, practical independence and close communication with staff, judged against its January 2025 account. Gardening and movement give that picture substance. Families should weigh those strengths against the teaching priorities and the later compliance action.