Children at Little Adventures Nursery in Cheddar, Somerset, are flourishing in a nurturing and engaging environment that encourages confidence, curiosity, and creativity. A recent Ofsted inspection on August 7 rated the nursery “good” across all areas, reaffirming its commitment to high-quality early years education.
Located at Unit 11, Cheddar Business Park on Wedmore Road, Little Adventures Nursery is led by Nursery Manager Evie Llewellin and forms part of the Ocean Adventurers Ltd group. The nursery caters to 95 children aged from birth to ten years and is registered for up to 61 places.
Ofsted inspectors praised the setting’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, noting that children feel safe and ready to learn. Babies benefit from sensory experiences involving natural materials like herbs, cucumbers, and lemons, which stimulate exploration through touch, smell, and taste. Creative activities such as painting with bubble wrap infused with flowers help develop babies’ concentration. Older children engage in imaginative play and hands-on learning, like potion making where they practice writing skills by recording recipes and use fine motor skills as they scoop, pour, and mix.
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Children also enjoy drawing treasure maps and hunting for hidden letters outdoors, fostering problem-solving and imaginative thinking. The nursery’s home-cooked meals are another highlight, with staff encouraging independence by helping children serve themselves and promoting conversation and turn-taking during mealtimes.
Behavior is generally well managed with high expectations set by staff. Children display enthusiasm and curiosity throughout their learning journey. However, inspectors noted some inconsistencies in enforcing behavior expectations, suggesting opportunities for clearer guidance.
The nursery’s curriculum is ambitious, well-structured, and aligned with a vision to nurture confident, capable learners. It is supported by core values of accountability, reliability, care, and honesty, creating a supportive environment where children build independence and self-belief. Staff demonstrate strong knowledge of each child’s needs and use assessments effectively to support progress and close developmental gaps, particularly during term time. Ofsted highlighted a need for improved planning during school holidays to ensure consistent progress.
Secure attachments between children and staff were observed, with babies settling quickly due to warm, attentive care. Positive relationships extend to families, with staff fostering strong partnerships by welcoming parents warmly and offering regular communication and ideas to support learning at home.
Safeguarding arrangements were deemed effective, with a culture that seriously prioritizes children’s welfare.
Ofsted recommended strengthening curriculum delivery during holidays and enhancing teaching strategies to consistently reinforce behavioral expectations.
Employing 20 staff members—including three with level 6 qualifications—the nursery operates year-round from 7:30 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, and offers government-funded childcare places, continuing its mission to nurture the next generation confidently and creatively.