Little Cherubs Nursery School

I am so pleased with the choice of Little Cherubs nursery. It is a family owned nursery with a very caring environment. My son loves it there. The teachers are excellent and they really know the children well and pay attention to their individual needs. We like the mix of freedom to play with Montessori toys and the traditional learning approach to prepare the kids for school. There is a big walled “secret garden” where the kids can play, as well as a second outdoor play area. I like that they encourage public speaking from day one, with show and tell and end of term shows. The kids are encouraged to be independent and are given responsibilities from early on, and as a parent we are also encouraged to come in and read stories or speak to the children about our jobs etc, which is a nice for the children to show their parents to their friends. I’ve found the other families to be really lovely and down to earth. The nursery also holds regular parent teach meetings and parent meet-up coffee mornings, furthering the sense of community around the nursery. I couldn't be happier with little cherubs and will be sending our second son there when he is old enough.

Hidden gem, known to locals by word of mouth. Where do I begin. I started my search after sending my elder child to another local nursery relying on the Ofsted rating and realise there are different levels of outstanding. The rating which needs an urgent overhaul with regard to nurseries. The majority in K&C seem to fall into an ‘outstanding’ category. I found the outstanding rating to be inconsistent and did not rely on this second time round and went with parent’s recommendations instead, which is more reliable and balanced. Unlike others, Little Churubs does not over sell itself then fail to deliver. It has a true ratio for two year olds and incredibly it has more selling features then the tour. Snacks are included (unlike my elder child’s former nursery you must provide these yourself to share?!) organic milk, fruit and oat biscuits (not the cheap kind). on a Friday they have a show and tell, you get actual feed back direct from the teachers not just the weekly written report, yes that’s right WEEKLY WRITTEN report. They have a low turnover of staff, unlike most nurseries. The veteran teachers head up each class, there are three classes depending on a child’s age. You will find it’s not over crowded or chaotic. They have implemented the best of both types of nurseries, actual structural learning, which your child requires to be ready for school with Montessori teaching materials and set up. I have become well informed about the difference. On Fridays ALL the children cook or bake from cookies, apple crumble to sandwiches (also included). Now my two year old eats sandwiches and she’s a fussy eater. Only draw back, during half term my child asked ‘can I go to nursery, why not’, how wonderful. It’s stressful when you first send a toddler, will they be in safe hands or happy without me! My elder child asked if she could go to Little Cherubs instead of school since hearing about how much fun, love and attention her sibling receives from the wonderful teachers and founders. To the founders, who do not take a back seat they are both there every morning and at closing to great you at the door and your child and they are on first name basis with all the children including the adults. They over see the running and maintaining the exceptional standards. I admit I hesitated in writing this review since we the parents acknowledge it’s a hidden gem, let’s keep it that way. Others focus on selling and marketing their nurseries compromising on quality, unlike the founders at Little Cherubs who are focused, rightly, on day to day of the nursery. Should we be informing others? Yes, if I had known before I am certain my elder child would have benefited hugely in both, firstly a nurturing environment and more prepared for school. If you are not convinced take the tour and see the two outdoor spaces a small playground and a large hidden garden with apple and pear trees, mud kitchen, bikes, cars, swing, garden toys behind a 30ft wall. Not accessible or viewable from the outside. I could go on but to clarify after paying similar fees at both my children’s nurseries, I definitely feel it’s better value and importantly peace of mind for your child at Little Cherubs nursery.