Ofsted inspection highlights strengths and improvements at Little Apples Nursery

The inspection also recognised a number of strengths in the quality of care, support and learning provided to children. Areas for improvement were identified in relation to safer eating practices, including how some fruit was prepared and served at snack times and how consistently safe eating practices were monitored and recorded.

The national Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nutrition guidance, including safer eating requirements, was introduced in 2025. In response, Little Apples reviewed its policies, procedures and staff training, adopted the national guidance and worked with Early Years specialists from Gloucestershire County Council to strengthen its approach to safer eating.

During the inspection, concerns were raised about some snack-time food preparation and serving practices. This included instances where whole pieces of fruit were provided to children in older nursery rooms and pear batons that were considered too large for some children in younger rooms. The inspection also found that these safer eating practices were not always evidenced and monitored consistently.

Following the inspection, the nursery took immediate additional action. This included reviewing fruit preparation and serving arrangements, briefing all staff, refreshing training, seeking further advice from Early Years specialists and strengthening monitoring and oversight arrangements across the nursery.

Children continue to be supervised during meals and snack times, paediatric first aiders are present in nursery rooms and children are not permitted to walk around while eating.

As part of the improvement work, the nursery has also introduced a new lunchbox policy. Because parents currently provide their children's main meals at Little Apples, the policy has been designed to support the national EYFS nutrition guidance and further strengthen the nursery's approach to children's wellbeing and safer eating practices.

The nursery will continue to work closely with parents and carers, recognising that partnership between families and nursery staff plays an important role in supporting children's safety, wellbeing and development.

Alongside the areas identified for improvement, the inspection highlighted children's progress and development, the positive and nurturing relationships between children and staff, the nursery's inclusive approach, and the support provided to children with additional needs and children who speak English as an additional language. Inspectors also recognised that safer sleep arrangements are well embedded within the nursery.

Sarah continues, "We had already implemented the national safer eating guidance and worked with Early Years specialists to strengthen our arrangements.

"The inspection provided an opportunity to identify where those arrangements could be applied and evidenced more consistently, and we acted immediately to make further improvements. We are also grateful for the support of parents and carers, whose partnership with our staff plays an important role in helping us provide the best possible care for every child.

"We are pleased that the inspection recognised many of the strengths of our nursery, including safeguarding, inclusion and the caring environment our staff provide every day."

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What did Ofsted find?

The inspection found that Little Apples met the Expected Standard in most areas and identified a number of strengths in the care, support and learning environment provided for children.

Inspectors also identified improvements needed in relation to safer eating practices. This included concerns about how some fruit was prepared and served at snack times, including instances where whole pieces of fruit were provided to children in older rooms and pear batons that were considered too large for some children in younger rooms. The inspection also found that safe eating practices were not always monitored, recorded and evidenced consistently.

What is the Ofsted inspection framework?

Ofsted's current inspection framework assesses nurseries across seven areas:

• Safeguarding
• Inclusion
• Curriculum and teaching
• Achievement
• Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines
• Children's welfare and wellbeing
• Leadership and governance

Each area is assessed against one of five standards: Exceptional, Strong Standards, Expected Standard, Needs Attention or Urgent Improvement.

Little Apples met the Expected Standard in most areas, and the inspection confirmed that safeguarding requirements are being met.

Is the nursery safe?

Yes. The inspection confirmed that safeguarding requirements are being met.

The findings related specifically to safer eating practices and how these practices were consistently applied, monitored and recorded. Ofsted's concerns did not relate to wider safeguarding arrangements, which inspectors confirmed were being met.

Had the nursery already adopted the national safer eating guidance?

Yes. When the national Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance was introduced in 2025, the nursery reviewed its policies, procedures and staff training to ensure they reflected the new requirements. The nursery adopted the national guidance and worked with Early Years specialists from Gloucestershire County Council to strengthen its approach to safer eating.

The inspection identified areas where these arrangements needed to be applied, monitored and evidenced more consistently, and further action was taken immediately following the inspection.

What action was taken following the inspection?

The nursery acted immediately following the inspection.

Actions included:

• Reviewing fruit preparation and serving practices.
• Briefing all staff on the inspection findings and expectations.
• Refreshing relevant training.
• Seeking further advice from Early Years specialists.
• Reviewing arrangements across both Trust nurseries.
• Strengthening monitoring and oversight of safer eating practices.
• Introducing a new lunchbox policy to support compliance with national nutrition guidance.

The nursery has also benchmarked its arrangements with other early years providers to ensure its approach reflects current best practice.

What other feedback did Ofsted give about the nursery?

Alongside the areas identified for improvement, the inspection highlighted a number of strengths, including:

• The progress children are making in their learning and development.
• The positive and nurturing relationships between children and staff.
• Clear and consistent expectations for behaviour.
• Support for children with additional needs and children who speak English as an additional language.
• An inclusive environment where children develop a strong sense of belonging.
• Strong emotional support from staff.
• Well-embedded safer sleep practices.