Business Details
26 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care & Nursery Services in Southampton
Established in 2000 by Helen and Clive, The Little Shipmates Nursery has grown from a single nursery in Hythe to a trusted family of five day care nurseries and a dedicated pre-school across Hampshire. Our child-centred approach prioritises individual development through tailored environments that foster social, physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. With Ofsted-registered facilities, fully qualified multilingual staff, and partnerships with parents and local authorities, we deliver enriching experiences supported by flexible funding options.Our commitment to quality is evidenced by continuous investment in staff training, nutritious meals prepared on-site, and secure, stimulating spaces designed to make every child feel valued and inspired.
Services
Day nurseries
Pre-school education
Stay and play sessions
Funding assistance
Holiday clubs
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- Established in 2000 with five Hampshire locations and a dedicated pre-school
- Ofsted-registered nurseries with fully qualified multilingual childcare professionals
- Accept all government childcare funding schemes including 30-hour entitlement
- On-site chefs providing nutritionally balanced meals for all dietary requirements
- Secure environments with tailored transition support for new families
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Friendly and accommodating staff
Nutritious meals
Happy children
Regular progress updates
Creative activities
Services
Day nurseries
Our Ofsted-registered day nurseries provide full-time childcare for children aged 0-5 years across five Hampshire locations. Each nursery offers tailored learning environments with qualified staff delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Spaces feature secure outdoor play areas, creative activity zones, and dedicated rooms for different age groups to ensure appropriate developmental stimulation.
Pre-school education
The dedicated pre-school at Little Shipmates prepares children aged 2-5 years for formal education through structured learning programmes. Our curriculum focuses on communication, physical development, and personal, social, and emotional growth. Qualified educators use play-based learning to develop literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills while maintaining individual learning journals for parental updates.
Funding assistance
We support families accessing government childcare funding schemes including 15-30 hour entitlements, tax credits, and student finance. Our team provides guidance on eligibility criteria and application processes for working parents, university students, and families receiving benefits. Funding can be stretched across 50 weeks with additional support available for two-year-olds in specific circumstances.
Stay and play sessions
Prospective families can experience our nursery environment through complimentary stay-and-play sessions before enrollment. These introductory visits allow children to interact with staff and existing attendees while parents observe daily routines. Sessions help identify the most suitable nursery location and address any transition concerns through direct engagement with our childcare professionals.
Holiday clubs
Our holiday clubs provide childcare during school breaks for children aged 3-11 years at selected locations. Activities include themed projects, outdoor adventures, and creative workshops designed to maintain educational engagement while offering recreational opportunities. The clubs operate during Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays with flexible booking options for working parents.
People
Helen Shipmates
Founder
Co-founder with 20+ years' experience in early years education, previously working in Hampshire schools. Holds advanced qualifications in childcare management and curriculum development. Leads strategic development across all nursery locations.
Clive Shipmates
Founder
Co-founder and former school administrator with expertise in educational leadership. Oversees operational standards and staff training programmes. Maintains partnerships with local authorities and education providers to enhance nursery services.
Questions
What childcare funding options do you accept?
We accept all government childcare funding schemes including 15-30 hour entitlements, tax credits, student finance, and workplace vouchers. Our team provides personalised guidance on eligibility and application processes.
Are meals included in nursery fees?
Yes, all meals, snacks, and formula are included. Our on-site chefs prepare nutritionally balanced menus meeting all dietary requirements, with special provisions for allergies and cultural preferences.
How do you support new nursery transitions?
We offer stay-and-play sessions, home visits, and gradual settling-in periods. Parents receive daily updates through our Tapestry journal system to ensure smooth adaptation for both children and families.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All staff have Ofsted-mandated qualifications in childcare, first aid, and food hygiene. Many team members are multilingual with additional training in special educational needs and early years curriculum delivery.
Do you provide holiday childcare?
Yes, we operate holiday clubs during school breaks at selected locations for children aged 3-11 years, featuring themed activities and outdoor adventures with flexible booking options.
Reviews (3)
Claire Ricketts
Mar 03, 2019
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We've two little ones at this nursery. Both of our children go here only once a week but have never had a problem settling in. The staff are wonderful and make a huge effort to get to know your child and offer feedback. They provide varied and exciting opportunities for the children to get creative and messy! I would highly recommend.
Yvette Hutchinson
Mar 01, 2019
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Little shipmates are absolutely perfect in every way. My daughters teachers, Lauren and Jacqueline are so attentive to her, Willow absolutely loves them. The updates I get through tapestry are great it shows how happy she is while she is there. The food is fresh and it’s also made Willow be open to trying new foods which is amazing! Just want to say a massive thankyou x
Jo Warwick
Jan 14, 2019
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The staff are great, very caring and always encourage the childen to reach their full potential. Would be lost without them.
