Little Fishes Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Lings for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in September 2024. Open since 2016, with 28 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in West Northamptonshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Northamptonshire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
NN3 8JJWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 12 September 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happily at this welcoming pre-school and are greeted by the kind and caring staff. Children take part in self-registration and hang up their coats on the named pegs, which supports their sense of belonging. Staff are warm and encouraging, helping children to feel safe and secure. Children are well supported by staff as they take turns, listen and follow instructions, which helps to create a calm learning environment. Staff are positive role models, and as a result, children learn to behave well and develop positive attitudes to learning.
Staff promote children's communication and language skills well. They speak clearly, model words, ask questions and comment on what children are doing. Staff join in with children's play and interact with them, introducing words, such as chilli, squash and gritty, to expand their vocabulary. They use sign language alongside their speech to further support children's emerging speaking. Staff lead group times that support children to build confidence and follow instructions. For example, children are encouraged to speak clearly into a microphone to say their names and take turns choosing a song from the song cards. They delight as they join in with familiar songs and rhymes. Children twirl round and round as they pretend to go through a snowstorm as staff read the bear hunt story with enthusiasm and good intonation. This helps children to develop a love of books.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the organisation when transitioning between children's activities and routines so they are consistently engaged in learning n support staff to arrange the planning of activities to ensure all children can benefit from all of the learning opportunities on offer.
- 12 September 2024Good
- 28 September 2018Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Fishes Pre-School
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.