Business Details
10 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare in Keswick | Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Pre School Day Nursery & Pre School Day Nursery
Established in 2016, Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Pre School Day Nursery & Pre School is nestled in Braithwaite, Keswick, within the Lake District. Our nursery, led by proprietor Laura Fradsham with a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies and a BA Hons in Working with Children & Families, provides exceptional care for children aged 0-5 years. Our team of qualified practitioners, including Forest School specialists and paediatric first aid-certified staff, delivers education aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.We hold accreditations such as Millie's Mark, Healthy Families Cumbria Pledge, and Smile 4 Life, alongside a 5-star hygiene rating. Our Ofsted-rated outstanding provision prioritises self-regulation, healthy lifestyles, and parental collaboration, ensuring children thrive in a safe, stimulating environment.
Services
Daycare
Preschool Education
Forest School Sessions
Nutritious Meal Provision
Parent Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We are Ofsted-rated outstanding for childcare quality.
- Our team holds advanced qualifications in early years education.
- We promote healthy lifestyles with freshly prepared nutritious meals.
- Forest School sessions enhance outdoor learning experiences.
- All staff maintain paediatric first aid and safeguarding certifications.
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
- Healthy Families Cumbria Pledge
- Smile 4 Life
- Millie's Mark
Services
Daycare
Our daycare service provides safe, stimulating care for children aged 0-5 years, following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Qualified practitioners foster self-regulation, emotional development, and social skills through structured activities and free play. The environment encourages exploration while maintaining a strong focus on child wellbeing and safety.
Preschool Education
Preschool education prepares children for school through curriculum-aligned activities that develop literacy, numeracy, and creativity. Our Forest School sessions enhance outdoor learning, while partnerships with parents ensure individualised progress tracking. Qualified teachers deliver age-appropriate lessons in a nurturing environment.
Forest School Sessions
Forest School sessions promote nature-based learning through hands-on outdoor activities. These sessions develop resilience, teamwork, and environmental awareness while aligning with educational standards. Qualified practitioners guide children in exploring natural surroundings safely, fostering physical and cognitive development.
Nutritious Meal Provision
Our on-site cook prepares balanced, nutritious meals following the Smile 4 Life campaign guidelines. Menus meet Cumbria Healthy Families Pledge standards, offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The 5-star hygiene-rated kitchen ensures children receive wholesome snacks and lunches that support growth and healthy eating habits.
Parent Partnerships
We actively involve parents through regular communication and collaborative planning. Parents receive detailed progress updates and are encouraged to participate in their child's learning journey. This partnership approach strengthens development outcomes by aligning home and nursery environments for consistent support.
People
Laura Fradsham
Proprietor and Operational Manager
Laura holds a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies (Distinction), BA Hons in Working with Children & Families, and Level 3 Forest School Practitioner qualifications. As designated safeguarding lead, she combines academic expertise with practical experience to ensure high-quality childcare provision.
Amy B
Manager
Amy is an Early Years Teacher with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics. She coordinates special educational needs provision and serves as a designated safeguarding lead, bringing structured educational planning and child protection expertise to the team.
Nat
Deputy Manager
Nat holds a Level 3 NVQ in Children's Care, Learning, and Development. As British Values Coordinator and second DSL, she ensures cultural awareness and safeguarding standards are integrated into daily nursery operations while supporting staff development.
Becky
Senior Practitioner
Becky has a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. She coordinates school readiness programs, preparing children for educational transitions through structured activities that develop essential learning skills and independence.
Sarah
Senior Practitioner
Sarah holds a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. She focuses on early literacy and numeracy development, creating engaging lesson plans that align with national educational standards while maintaining a nurturing learning environment.
Questions
What age range do you cater for?
We accept children from birth until they start reception year (0-5 years old).
Are you Ofsted registered?
Yes, we are Ofsted-registered and rated 'outstanding' in our latest inspection.
Do you offer government-funded hours?
Yes, we participate in the government's funded hours initiative for eligible children.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All staff have Level 3 childcare qualifications, paediatric first aid certification, and safeguarding training.
How do you promote healthy eating?
Our on-site cook prepares nutritious meals following the Healthy Families Cumbria Pledge guidelines.
Do you provide outdoor learning opportunities?
Yes, we offer Forest School sessions to enhance outdoor exploration and nature-based learning.
Reviews (5)
Phillippa Ball
Aug 28, 2019
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Cannot recommend this place enough! Alfie has loved every minute at this nursery from starting at 9 months old, every single member of staff has been fantastic! Don’t know what we will do without them now he has finished! Thanks again for the memories.
Judith Reeks
Oct 22, 2016
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Brilliant place .they have given my grandaughter eve security stability and loving care since she was a baby she is now 4 and a happy well rounded little person you have shown her what stability and consistancy is all about ..thank you
Leanne Grave
Sep 24, 2014
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An amazingly welcoming and friendly atmoshpere with caring and loving staff. Our 3 children have all loved going to Little Monkeys from babies upwards and have had loads of fun learning through creative play, we love that the children spent so much time in the outdoors. The food they make for the kids is also a bonus as its nutritious and varied. Love Love Love this place!
Natalie Fielding
Jun 26, 2014
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Little Monkey's is amazing and the owner, Laura is the most hardworking and most passionate person about her job that I have ever known.
Joao Rebouta
Apr 24, 2014
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Packed with activities, my daughter always comes very happy from Little Monkeys. Laura, apart from a friend, is genuinely passionate about kids and understands that every kid is a little individual that has its own needs and likings.
