Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)
Little Tots Day Nursery
Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Group verified
Once Upon A Time Children's Day Nursery Limited
- Group reference verified
RP548524
- Inspection date verified
16 Jul 2025
- Inspectors verified
Beverley Devlin
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Outstanding
- Leadership and management verified
Outstanding
- Overall effectiveness verified
Outstanding
- Personal development verified
Outstanding
- Quality of education verified
Outstanding
- Postcode verified
B74 2JR
- Name on report verified
Little Tots Day Nursery
- URN verified
2713345
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Quality of educationOutstanding
11% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Outstanding (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type graded Outstanding.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Leaders have designed a highly effective curriculum to provide all children with an excellent start on their learning journeys. p.2
- Staff are excellent role models and reinforce the positive behaviour that children display, gently correcting unwanted behaviour and reinforcing positive behaviour with their meaningful acknowledgement. p.2
- Rigorous assessment and evaluation of each child's progress by staff and extensive partnership working ensures that all children make exceptional progress. p.2
- Staff report on the exceptional levels of support they receive and share that leaders are approachable and go above and beyond to ensure that they are happy in their roles. p.2
- Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. p.3
Concerns
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No strong criticism found.
Next steps
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No next steps set out.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Parents & families6
“Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong.” p.3Communication & language4
“Staff support children's communication and language skills extremely well.” p.3
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 7
- Words of findings
- 904
- about usual (typical 818)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 47, typical 49
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 0
- typical 0
- Hedged sentences
- 0%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection of Little Tots Day Nursery Unit 35-37, Boundary Court, Boundary Road, Sutton Coldfield B74 2JR
p.1
Overall effectiveness Outstanding
The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable
p.1
The provision is outstanding
From the moment they arrive, children are extremely happy and confident as they go about their activities throughout the nursery. Babies and toddlers are extremely well supported as they confidently explore a range of resources. Staff's successful training in Makaton helps to ensure that young children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have a voice. Staff plan accessible environments where the youngest children can be independent. Older children have access to abundant activities that extend their learning and prepare them for school.
p.2
The provision is outstanding
Leaders have designed a highly effective curriculum to provide all children with an excellent start on their learning journeys. Leaders share their vision and curriculum intentions with staff through meetings and being present in the rooms daily. Staff's skilful ability to adapt the curriculum ensures that all children experience teaching that expertly meets their individual needs and encourages all children to thrive. Rigorous assessment and evaluation of each child's progress by staff and extensive partnership working ensures that all children make exceptional progress.
p.2
The provision is outstanding
Staff are excellent role models and reinforce the positive behaviour that children display, gently correcting unwanted behaviour and reinforcing positive behaviour with their meaningful acknowledgement. Children confidently show their understanding of why behaviour rules are in place and recognise the impact that their behaviour has on others. Staff skilfully help children manage their emotions and develop positive social interactions. As a result, children learn to confidently navigate social situations and resolve conflicts independently.
p.2
need to do better?
n Continuous training and a clear focus on strengthening all aspects of the nursery are at the forefront of the minds of the leadership team. Supervision sessions and appraisals are conducted routinely to monitor staff's progress and development. Staff report on the exceptional levels of support they receive and share that leaders are approachable and go above and beyond to ensure that they are happy in their roles. n Experienced staff expertly adapt their teaching and practice so that children with SEND benefit from an inclusive and challenging curriculum. Leaders use additional funding to ensure that children with SEND have the resources and support they need, such as one-to-one interactions to boost their high levels of engagement. Dedicated staff undertake training and work closely with other professionals and parents to create individual learning support plans for children with SEND. n Staff provide learning opportunities that spark children's interests and love of
p.2
need to do better?
16 July 2025 learning. Babies watch with awe and wonder as bubbles float through the air. Staff model language, such as 'pop', 'rainbow' and 'bubble', and children excitedly pop the bubbles as they fall. Young children demonstrate a remarkable level of engagement in their learning. n Leaders and staff encourage children to enjoy books as they use them to support and extend children's learning. They encourage children to take time every day to settle down to explore books and use the props and puppets. Furthermore, the introduction of a lending library encourages parents to take favourite books home to share with their children. n Children visit the local park and use public transport to visit a local care home, where they meet with residents and take part in singing, yoga and craft activities. Staff working in the pre-school room provide rich and varied opportunities for children to learn about different countries and cultures. For
p.2
need to do better?
example, each month they explore a different country, learning about the traditional food, language and key features of that country. These experiences enrich children's understanding of society and the world in which they live. n Staff encourage children to develop their independence skills. Babies learn to feed themselves with a spoon, and toddlers learn to use a fork. Older children continue to develop these skills as they learn to use a knife and fork and serve their own food. They learn about portion size and healthy eating. All children become independent learners. n Staff support children's communication and language skills extremely well. They model language through discussions with children. Staff sing to children throughout the day. Children join in with the words and actions. Young children eagerly engage and are enthralled as staff play the guitar and eagerly start to sing. Staff have core songs they want children to learn. Older children are
p.3
need to do better?
challenged to learn more complex songs and are incredibly proud of their personalised graduation song. n Staff swiftly identify any gaps in learning and act to narrow these rapidly. They provide appropriate challenge for children. For instance, pre-school children learn to write their names and to identify the names of their friends, in preparation for school. n Children develop an understanding of the importance of regular exercise. Older children enjoy weekly sessions with the sports coach. In the garden, children have fun as they run with their friends and navigate the challenging obstacle course. Children develop their strength and balance as they ride tricycles and throw balls into a net. A well-thought-out menu ensures that children receive an extremely healthy and well-balanced diet. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents speak enthusiastically about the nursery and the incredible range of activities their children enjoy.
p.3
need to do better?
Parents say that staff welcome them and show endless kindness and support. They become involved in nursery life as staff organise stay-and-play sessions. Parents are kept up to date and involved in their child's learning.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
16 July 2025 There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number 2713345 Local authority Walsall Inspection number 10394414 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care
p.5
inspection
Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 88
p.5
Name of registered person
Once Upon A Time Children's Day Nursery Limited
p.5
reference number
Telephone number 01213520770 Date of previous inspection Not applicable
p.5
Information about this early years setting
Little Tots Day Nursery registered in 2023. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery operates all year around. Sessions are available from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for eligible children.
p.5
Inspection activities
n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager.
p.6
Inspection activities
We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.
p.6
Inspection activities
16 July 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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