July 16, 2026 08:39am
Little Thinkers Nursery at Meon Way in Milton is celebrating a glowing Ofsted inspection, with inspectors recognising a nurturing environment where children thrive, feel safe, and develop a love of learning.
The report highlights how children “arrive happily” and “separate confidently from their parents and carers,” with staff providing a warm welcome that helps them quickly settle into daily routines. Strong partnerships with families were also praised, with staff working closely with parents to promote good attendance and support each child’s development.
Inspectors found that children “achieve well and make progress from their starting points,” demonstrating confidence in communication and a “positive attitude to learning.” Activities such as story time, mark-making and counting help children build key skills, while resources like emotion cards support them to understand and talk about their feelings.
Relationships across the nursery were recognised as a key strength. Staff were described as “warm, nurturing” role models who build secure connections with children. As a result, children were seen to feel “safe and emotionally secure,” supported by a well-established key-person system.
Leadership and teaching also received praise, with the curriculum described as “typically responsive to children’s interests.” Leaders regularly review learning and provide training for staff, while inclusion is prioritised through effective use of funding and close collaboration with families and support services.
Little Thinkers at Meon Way is part of Thinking Schools Academy Trust, which runs nurseries and schools across Portsmouth, supporting an all-through education model. This approach enables children to progress through their entire school journey within a connected family of “Thinking Schools,” building a love for lifelong learning.
Kate Aylward, Nursery Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud of this report, which reflects the dedication and care our team shows every day. Seeing our children arrive happily, grow in confidence and develop a genuine love for learning is exactly what we aim for.”
Sonia Nickerson, Trust Lead for Early Years, added: “This outcome highlights the strength of provision at Meon Way. The team has created an inclusive, welcoming environment where every child is supported to thrive as part of our wider all-through education vision.”