Little Gems Day Nursery
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Petersfield for babies from 3 months up to 5 year olds, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2017, with 40 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
15 hours free a week for children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old. 30 hours free for children aged 3 and 4 years old.
What childcare usually costs in Hampshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hampshire 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
GU31 4BNWhat 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, 11 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are lovingly greeted by friendly staff that are genuinely happy to see them. The reassuring and caring nature of staff gives children confidence to immerse themselves fully into the well-planned and stimulating activities that are on offer. Children demonstrate positive behaviours as they share resources and become deeply engrossed in their play. For instance, staff guide children as they use ladles to skilfully scoop different coloured lids out of a bowl of water. They colour-sort these by placing them into the correct coloured pots and count how many are in a set. Staff are generous with the praise they give children, which gives them a sense of pride in their achievements as they succeed. Children gain good hand-eye coordination and develop their mathematical awareness.
Leaders and staff have created a harmonious and respectful environment. Children are friendly and show empathy towards one another. For example, children alert staff if they notice their friends may need some help and support. Staff help children realise the impact their positive behaviours have on others by talking to them about their thoughtfulness and kindness. In addition, staff promote children's emotional security and form trusting bonds with the youngest children by giving them reassurance and comfort. All children's personal, social and emotional development are supported well.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- challenge all children more consistently during routines and activities to develop their existing skills further.
- 11 June 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 19 November 2019Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Gems Day Nursery
- What it costs
- 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
Some of this is above, from the setting or from parents, and it can go out of date. The rest is in no dataset anywhere. Either way it is worth ten minutes on the phone.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- How do you apply my funded hours? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Do you have a place for a child of my age now? 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.