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Early years · Report card

Little Nest Childcare

Inspected 11 Jun 2026 · URN 2797509

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Summary

No overall grade in this frameworkSafeguarding met

Loretta Murphy

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Achievement verified

    Expected standard

  • Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified

    Strong standard

  • Children's welfare and wellbeing verified

    Expected standard

  • Curriculum and teaching verified

    Expected standard

  • Inclusion verified

    Expected standard

  • Leadership and governance verified

    Expected standard

  • Framework verified

    Report card

  • Group verified

    Little Nest Childcare LTD

  • Inspection datesingle source

    11 Jun 2026

  • Inspectors verified

    Loretta Murphy

  • Postcode verified

    SO31 1BS

  • Name on report verified

    Little Nest Childcare

  • Safeguarding verified

    Met

  • URN verified

    2797509

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • AchievementExpected
  • Behaviour, attitudes and routinesStrong
  • Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected
  • InclusionExpected
  • Leadership and governanceExpected

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+83Very positivemore positive than 74% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praiseeffectivelypositiveexcellentfeel safehighly effectiveconfidentlyenjoysecure
Criticismnot consistentlyconcernsnot well sequenceddelays

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspectionLeadershipWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1235w+86
  • Leadership216w+75
  • Safeguarding51w−11
  • What needs to improve54w+20

Strengths

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

Concerns

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

No strong criticism found.

Next steps

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
9
Words of findings
1,556
about usual (typical 1698)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 31, typical 43
Average sentence
14 words
Next steps
2
typical 3
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 59%Leadership 10%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 3%About the inspection 26%

Full report text

Little Nest Childcare

Unique reference number (URN): 2797509 Address: Burridge Village Hall, Botley Road, Burridge, SOUTHAMPTON, SO31 1BS Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 06/08/2024 Registers: EYR, CCR Registered person: Little Nest Childcare LTD

p.1

Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.

p.1

How we evaluate safeguarding

When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:

p.1

How we evaluate safeguarding

Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.

p.1

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard

Leaders and staff have established an excellent culture of positive behaviour and respectful relationships. Well-embedded and consistent routines help children understand expectations of the setting. Staff are excellent role models. They treat children and one another with respect and consistently reinforce clear rules and boundaries. As a result, children behave extremely well and demonstrate highly positive attitudes towards learning.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard

Children develop strong social skills. Staff encourage them to share, take turns and work in partnership with their peers. They actively support children to form friendships. For instance, they encourage children with similar interests to play together and prompt children to invite others into their play. Consequently, children build highly positive relationships and learn to value the contributions of others.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard

Leaders and staff place a high priority on children's emotional wellbeing. Children are supported to recognise and manage their feelings through activities such as stories about emotions. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, benefit from sensory resources and quiet spaces that help them to regulate their emotions and successfully engage in daily routines. Babies and younger children have consistent opportunities to rest and sleep. This supports their emotional wellbeing and readiness to learn.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard

Leaders promote the importance of attendance effectively and monitor this. They identify patterns of non-attendance and work with families to support regular attendance. As a result, children attend regularly and quickly settle into routines.

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Achievement Expected standard

Children typically make progress from their starting points. Children's personal, social and emotional development is well embedded. They demonstrate positive behaviour, supported by staff who act as highly effective role models. They build warm, respectful relationships and demonstrate increasing independence throughout the day. They confidently engage in routines and activities.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children develop physical skills effectively. Babies strengthen coordination and muscle control through activities such as standing and exploring sensory resources. Older children build fine muscle strength through activities such as dough manipulation. Children also develop early problem-solving skills, for instance, while investigating how ice thaws.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children develop secure early mathematical understanding. They count in sequence and begin to understand concepts such as volume and capacity through practical activities, such as filling containers with sand while adding and mixing ingredients during imaginative play. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make appropriate progress. They communicate their needs and respond to familiar routines. Overall, children, including those in receipt of additional funding, are well prepared for the next stage of learning and the transition to school.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Leaders place children's welfare and wellbeing at the heart of their practice. Children are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. Staff know them well and respond sensitively to their individual requirements. They support children to develop an awareness of safety and risk. For instance, older children are encouraged to help manage risks during everyday routines, such as identifying and removing fruit peelings from the floor at snack time. However, opportunities for children to develop these skills are not consistently embedded across all age groups.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Leaders promote healthy lifestyles effectively. Children benefit from nutritious cooked meals and healthy snacks. Staff encourage good hygiene practices through daily routines and initiatives that promote oral health, such as toothbrushing activities. Additionally, children enjoy experiences that support their physical wellbeing through activities that target coordination, balance and muscle strength.

p.3

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Children's emotional wellbeing is supported well. Staff help children to understand and manage their feelings through therapeutic stories and sensitive interactions. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from tailored resources, such as sensory tubes, which support self-regulation. Babies and young children receive attentive care, such as constant supervision during sleep times. This helps them to feel secure and settled.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Leaders work with families and schools to support children through transitions. Children moving on to school have opportunities to meet teachers and visit their new environment. This helps them to develop confidence for the next stage of learning.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Leaders have designed a broad curriculum that supports children's learning across areas of development. They focus appropriately on communication and language, particularly in the baby room. Staff introduce new language during play, such as using descriptive words like 'crinkle' to help children understand sounds linked to vocabulary. However, opportunities for the youngest children to progressively develop their understanding of how to manage risks and keep themselves safe are not as well sequenced as in other areas of the curriculum. For instance, at mealtimes, staff do not consistently build on children's understanding of the safe use of utensils to help them develop their awareness of managing everyday risks. In contrast, older children experience a more structured approach to learning, specifically in understanding life cycles. For example, they observe caterpillars transforming and use creative resources to represent butterflies.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Teaching is generally effective across the setting. Staff interact positively with children and support their engagement in activities that promote physical development and early literacy skills. In the baby room, staff support physical development appropriately. They encourage self-feeding and the development of fine motor skills.

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Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported through inclusive teaching approaches. Staff use visual aids and prompts effectively to support communication and language development. This helps them to participate in activities and express their needs.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders have developed an inclusive culture where children's individual needs are identified and supported in a timely manner. They work closely with parents and other professionals to identify needs and ensure that appropriate support is put in place. Leaders make timely referrals to external agencies, such as speech and language therapy. They contribute effectively to education, health and care plan processes, alongside families and other professionals. Individual education plans are written and regularly reviewed to help ensure that support remains relevant to children's changing needs.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders use additional funding, including early years pupil premium and disability access funding, appropriately to reduce barriers to learning, such as targeted one-to-one support, private speech and language therapy, and sensory resources that support children's engagement and participation.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Overall, leaders ensure that children who face barriers to learning receive appropriate support. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported to access the curriculum and take part in activities alongside their peers. Staff interact positively and warmly with children with language delays. They are continuing to develop their use of targeted strategies to further support children's communication and language development.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders are committed to providing an inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued and supported to learn. They monitor the quality of provision through regular observations, supervision and self-evaluation. They demonstrate an accurate understanding of the setting's strengths and areas for development. They take appropriate action to secure continuous improvement. For instance, leaders have reviewed arrangements for supporting children as they move on to school.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Staff report that leaders are approachable and responsive to their needs. Regular supervision, appraisals and professional discussions help staff to reflect on their practice and identify areas for development. Leaders encourage staff to access training that reflects their interests and to support children's needs. This includes training focused on supporting younger children's development and enhancing provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, leaders have not ensured that all staff have the knowledge required to support children to manage risks effectively across all areas of the setting.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders use additional funding appropriately to support children who face barriers to learning. They work effectively with parents and other professionals. This helps to ensure that children receive the support they need. Parents are actively involved in their children's experiences through stay-and-play sessions, family events and regular communication about children's progress. These positive partnerships contribute to continuity between home and the setting.

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Compulsory Childcare Register requirements

This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Register

When we check if settings meet the Compulsory Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:

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What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children are happy and settled. They enjoy their time at this welcoming provision. They develop secure relationships with staff, who know them well and respond attentively to their needs. Children feel safe and secure. Staff work closely with families to promote regular attendance and support children to settle quickly into daily routines. Babies and younger children seek comfort from familiar adults and enjoy close interactions, such as sharing stories and cuddles. Older children confidently communicate their needs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively to express their wishes, such as using visual communication resources.

p.5

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children behave very well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They quickly learn and follow established routines, such as placing their belongings on their designated pegs when they arrive. Children listen carefully to staff and respond appropriately during group activities. Pre-school children are familiar with daily routines and participate confidently in group times. Children play cooperatively with one another and form positive friendships.

p.5

Address:

Burridge Village Hall, Botley Road Burridge Children enjoy a range of learning experiences that help them make progress from their starting points. Older children take pride in drawing butterflies as they learn about life cycles. Babies and younger children enjoy listening to stories and developing early communication skills. Children learn important independence skills throughout the day. For instance, babies and younger children are encouraged to feed themselves during mealtimes and develop the physical skills needed for future learning. Children are prepared appropriately for their next stages, such as transitioning between rooms within the setting.

p.6

Address:

Children benefit from an inclusive environment. Staff amend activities, which helps children with SEND to participate alongside their peers. For instance, children who find large-group activities challenging are supported to engage in experiences such as manipulating dough in quieter spaces. This helps them remain involved in learning. Children and families are warmly welcomed. Staff greet everyone warmly on arrival and encourage parents to contribute to children's experiences, such as visiting the setting to talk to children about different occupations.

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Next steps

Leaders should strengthen staff training to support young children to manage risks safely and develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke to leaders, practitioners, parents and children during the inspection.

p.6

About this inspection

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. SOUTHAMPTON SO31 1BS Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.6

About this inspection

Registered person: Little Nest Childcare LTD

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About this inspection

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 08:00 - 18:00

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Facts and figures used on inspection

This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

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Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.

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Strong standard

The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

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Expected standard

The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

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Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

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Urgent improvement

The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.

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Urgent improvement

services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

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Urgent improvement

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

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Urgent improvement

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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