Welcome to Little Angels Day Care
At Little Angels Day Care, we welcome families from every background. Together we build on your child's life experiences so they feel secure, confident and ready to learn. Our approach is rooted in curiosity, wonder and fun, with experiences tailored to each child's needs and interests.
Our curriculum is carefully designed and delivered in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage and is informed by established early years pedagogy, including principles of Steiner, Fröbel, and Montessori. These approaches highlight the importance of hands-on, child-led learning, creativity, and meaningful real-life experiences, which support deep understanding and long-term development. We place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and highly individualised experiences, recognising their vital role in promoting independence, curiosity, and wellbeing. Daily craft and cooking activities are intentionally planned to develop practical skills, problem-solving, and confidence, helping children build the foundations they need to be happy, capable, and ready for primary education.
“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in the child’s soul.”
— Friedrich Fröbel
How we learn together
Key person approach
Each child is allocated a key person from our highly-skilled, dedicated and passionate staff team. From the start your child’s key person will build a warm, trusting relationship with your child and your family, taking the time to truly understand their interests, needs, and personality. This collaborative partnership allows them to provide nurturing, personalised support and plan meaningful learning experiences across the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Guided by the Reggio Emilia approach, we believe that learning and teaching travel side by side; children and adults explore together rather than standing on opposite banks of the river of learning.
All together now
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we believe that…” Learning and teaching travel side by side; children and adults explore
together rather than standing on opposite banks of the river of learning.
Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we believe that children have a hundred ways to express themselves – through words, movement, drawing, music, and play – and each one deserves to be listened to. Our task is to help children share their ideas with the world, using all their strengths, all their languages, and all their creativity.
We are a true home-from-home nursery, with children of different ages learning together throughout our spacious shared indoor and outdoor environments. Our family-style approach fosters a strong sense of togetherness and belonging, ensuring younger children to feel secure as they learn alongside others, benefiting from rich language, social interaction, and shared experiences from the very beginning. As children grow, they naturally begin to support and guide younger peers, becoming positive developmental role models within the group. Our skilled and attentive staff thoughtfully adapt all activities to ensure they meet each child’s individual stage of development.
Fostering respectfulness and understanding
At Little Angels, children, families, and staff are genuinely valued and respected. We are proud to provide an inclusive, welcoming community where individuality is celebrated and everyone feels safe and accepted for who they are. Within this environment, children are supported to form positive, caring relationships and a secure sense of belonging.
Safeguarding at Little Angels Day Care
Safeguarding children is at the heart of everything we do at Little Angels Day Care. We are fully committed to protecting children from harm and promoting their welfare in a safe, nurturing and secure environment.
All staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training and follow robust procedures in line with Ofsted and local authority guidance.
We have three appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) — Joan, Abbie and Gemma — who oversee safeguarding practice across the setting. All three are trained to a higher level as part of their DSL roles, providing additional expertise and leadership in safeguarding.
Anyone with a safeguarding concern, no matter how small, is encouraged to speak to any of the DSLs at any time. All concerns are listened to in a professional and non-judgmental way, and appropriate action is taken whenever necessary. We also work closely with external agencies to ensure children and families receive the right support when needed.
We believe strong partnerships with parents and carers are central to keeping children safe and supported both in nursery and at home.
Our full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on request.
Parent partnership
Getting to Know You
We believe strong partnerships with families begin from the very start. Before your child joins us, you are invited to a friendly Getting To Know You meeting with your child’s key person and, where appropriate, senior members of our team such as the DSL or SENCo. This allows us to build a meaningful understanding of your child and family, so we can plan a smooth and supportive start. Children then attend two to three short settling sessions, thoughtfully informed by this meeting, helping them feel secure, confident, and ready to begin their nursery journey with us.
A Secure and Supported Start
During your child’s first weeks with us, close communication and consistency are at the heart of our approach. Daily verbal feedback is shared by your child’s key person or a senior member of our team, ensuring you feel informed and reassured at every step. Working in partnership with you, we establish routines that reflect your child’s and family’s individual needs. From the very beginning, your child’s key person focuses on building emotional and social security, while gently and sensitively beginning to assess your child’s development through nurturing, play-based experiences.
An Intentional Approach to Learning
As your child settles and grows with us, we take time to carefully observe their interests and strengths, and plan supportive next steps in their development. Using this understanding, our experienced staff thoughtfully plan meaningful learning experiences that support your child’s development and wellbeing. We regularly reflect on how your child is responding and adapt our approach to ensure they continue to feel confident, supported, and motivated.
“To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as
the mind.”
- commonly attributed to Rudolf Steiner.
Ongiong partnerships with families
We place great value on building strong, ongoing partnerships with children and their families. Daily verbal feedback keeps you informed about your child’s experiences and achievements each day, while our online diaries via the Ovivio app provide regular updates on care routines for our youngest children. Throughout the year, we hold parent mornings with one-to-one appointments to discuss your child’s progress and next steps, alongside seasonal celebrations and special family events that bring our nursery community together. Where a need is identified — by either families or our team — we work closely with you to put supportive plans in place, including tailored provision within the nursery, offering guidance, understanding, and practical support to help children and families feel secure and confident across home and nursery.
Reviews and regulation
Hear from families who use our setting, and view our latest Ofsted inspection.
Find out what families say about Little Angels Day Care by reading independent parent reviews and our latest Ofsted report.
Meet Our Team
Our knowledgeable and caring team is dedicated to creating a high-quality learning environment where children are supported to explore, develop curiosity, and build a love of learning. Through carefully planned experiences across all areas of the curriculum, our staff support children’s development in a purposeful and engaging way, while working respectfully with families to ensure each child’s learning is well understood and supported.
Joan
Role: Owner and Manager
About me: I have over thirty years of experience in early years education, and since 2001 I have been dedicated to establishing and running Little Angels Day Care, I bring both professional expertise and personal passion to everything we do. My Degree in Early Childhood Education, combined with years of hands-on practice, underpins the high standards of care and education at our setting.
Abbie
Role: Assistant Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Qualifications: Early Years Teacher Status
Experience:
I have worked in childcare for nearly 10 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in 2016.
My journey into early childhood education began from personal experience of social deprivation, which shaped a strong social conscience and desire for fairness. Working in factories and progressing into management and staff induction, I saw adults who had completed their whole school career without being able to confidently write their own details, and this had a profound impact on me. Having my own children strengthened my determination to make a difference for families. I wanted to create, as far as possible, an environment that truly supports the best outcomes for children and their parents, and this vision continues to guide Little Angels today. I firmly believe this is achieved through skilled, reflective staff who foster strong partnerships with parents. Over the years, I have seen these relationships work wonders for children and families many, many times. I am extremely grateful for the amazing staff team we have here, who make this nursery what it is: a committed, professional, stimulating and safe environment where your children can be the very best version of themselves.
About me: I love working as part of a team that is hardworking, dedicated, and committed to giving children the best possible start. In my role as SENDCO, I support staff to put the right approaches in place for children with additional needs, and I find it incredibly rewarding to see children grow in confidence and thrive. I particularly enjoy working with families and team members to ensure children feel secure and supported in nursery and at home. My favourite activities with the children are anything messy — from mud to glitter and everything in between. I usually end up just as messy as they do! Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, reading (both on my own and with my children), crafting and making things with my children, playing board games as a family, and getting outdoors — especially if there’s a hot chocolate or fish and chips involved.
Gemma
Role: Assistant Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Qualifications:
Level 3 in Childcare and Education
Level 3 in Team Management
Experience:
I have worked in childcare for 23 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in November 2015.
About me: I enjoy working with children across all age ranges and getting to know them throughout their early years, from their first days in nursery through to starting school. Being part of that journey and helping to build strong, trusting relationships with children and families is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. My favourite activities with the children are crafts, messy play, and ring games and song time. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, going to watch Ipswich Town play, and shopping!
Lara
Role: Senior Early Years Practitioner
Qualifications:
Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce
Experience:
I have worked in childcare for 9 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in 2018.
About me: I enjoy being around children, building strong relationships with them, and developing positive partnerships with parents. I also love supporting children as they learn and grow, helping them develop their own unique personalities. My favourite activity with the children is cooking. I love talking with them about new foods and exploring different tastes and experiences together. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to English and Portuguese music, singing, and spending time with my friends.
Leigh
Role: Senior Early Years Practitioner
Qualifications:
National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) Diploma
City & Guilds in Practical Caring Skills
Level 5 in Hospital Play Specialism for Sick Children and Young People
Experience:
I have worked in child-focused roles for 35 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in 2021.
Donna
Role: Early Years Practitioner
Qualifications:
Level 2 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Experience:
I have worked in childcare for 10 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in 2017.
About me: What I enjoy most about my role is seeing children of all ages playing together and learning from one another. I especially love watching the younger children get excited when they see the older school children – it’s wonderful to see those friendships and connections develop across the nursery. My favourite activities with the children are junk modelling and crafts, where they can be creative, use their imagination and feel proud of what they have made. Outside of work, I enjoy going to the cinema, concerts and the theatre. I also love spending time with my family and going to the beach whenever I can.
About me: I love being there for children and their families. Supporting children as they grow, develop and learn, and seeing them change from babies into confident children ready for school, is truly rewarding. I also enjoy helping and supporting parents in their parenting journey. My favourite activity with the children is circle time. I love seeing how their knowledge, understanding and skills develop through discussion, songs and shared activities. I also enjoy welcoming children into the setting each day and helping them settle happily. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family and friends, and walking. I also love researching my family tree, which currently includes over 5,000 relatives and dates back to the 1000s.
Sarah
Role: Early Years Practitioner
Qualifications:
Currently Studying Level 3 Early Years Educator
Experience:
I have worked in childcare for 2 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in 2025
Sally
Role: Nursery Assistant
Qualifications: National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) Diploma
Experience: I have worked in childcare for 1 1/2 years and joined Little Angels Day Care in 2024.
About me: What I enjoy most about my role: I love seeing children grow and develop. Watching them learn new skills and build confidence is incredibly rewarding, and I enjoy supporting them as they discover their strengths. My favourite activity with the children: I love doing crafts with the children, helping them create their own designs and encouraging them to build on their skills and imagination. Outside of work, I enjoy: Spending time with my own children, listening to music and reading a good book.
About me: I enjoy every part of working at Little Angels. I love the warm welcome I receive from the children when I arrive each day — especially when they run over for cuddles. Helping children feel happy, settled and confident in the nursery is what makes my role so rewarding. My favourite activities with the children are singing and reading together — sharing stories and songs that spark imagination and language development. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and catching up on some well-earned rest.
Get in Touch
This is the right place to get in touch with Little Angels Day Care.
If you would prefer to speak to us directly, you can call us on 07572 065 165 or email info@littleangelsbury.co.uk.
We are happy to hear from existing parents, families enquiring about Heroes, our out of school club, and prospective parents considering a nursery place.
We offer one-to-one nursery tours only and do not hold open days. Individual visits allow families to explore our setting in a relaxed way, ask any questions they may have and get a genuine feel for our environment and approach
To book a one-to-one visit, or for any other enquiry, please complete the form below.