Our Peckham Nursery Approach
A child who feels safe is a child who is ready to learn
That belief shapes everything here. It's why every child has a key worker who greets them at the door each morning and hands them back at the end of the day with a proper chat about how it went. It's why settling in happens at a pace set by your child, not a fixed timetable, and why staff plan around what each child shows they're ready for, never what their age suggests they should be doing.
The pages that follow show you what this looks like day to day, from how our rooms run to how we settle children in. All of it comes back to the same starting point: a child who feels secure enough to be curious.
5.0 from 3 parent reviews · Ofsted Registered
Settling In at Little Lambs
Settling in, at your child's own pace
After registration, settling-in sessions begin, starting short and with a parent nearby. Your child's key worker agrees a plan with you based on what they see, then builds on it, a little more time, a little more distance, as confidence grows.
There's no fixed length to this. Some children settle in a few sessions, others need longer, and the pace is amended for them. Throughout, you'll hear how each session went, so you always know where things stand before the next one.
Our commitment
If settling is taking longer than expected, we slow down and give it more time. There is no pressure to rush. We keep you in the loop throughout and adjust the approach based on what we observe.
Before day one
Your key person calls you
A short call before your child starts. We want to understand their sleep routine, what comforts them, what they love. We build the first week around what you tell us.
Days 1 to 3
Short visits with you present
You stay close while your child begins to explore. No pressure to leave until everyone feels ready. We watch carefully and get to know what your child needs.
Days 4 to 6
First short separations
Brief, calm goodbyes. We work with you on a simple and consistent farewell so your child begins to understand that you always come back.
Days 7 to 10
Building the routine
Sessions get longer. Your child starts to have a familiar face, a familiar sequence, and a familiar place. We share what we are noticing and stay in close contact.
End of week 2
Check-in with your key person
A conversation to share what we have observed and hear how things feel at home. If we feel your child needs more time, we take it. Settling cannot be rushed.
Day 30
How is it going
A sit-down to talk through how your child is doing, what they are enjoying, and what is coming next. An honest conversation, not a sign-off.
Questions Parents Ask Us
The questions every parent asks, answered honestly
These are not hypothetical worries. They come up on every single tour. Here is exactly how we address each one.
“Will my child cry every morning?”
Most children do in the first few days. That is completely normal. What matters is what happens next. Our 10-day Calm Start programme is designed to gently turn those early nerves into confidence. Within a couple of weeks, most children walk in happily and head straight to their key person.
“Will anyone really know my child?”
Before your child starts, their key person will call you for a short chat. We learn everything that helps them feel safe and settled: favourite games, comfort objects, sleep routines, little quirks. Your key person is the familiar face at drop-off and the person who keeps you updated at pick-up.
“What if they refuse to eat anything?”
Fussy eating at nursery is very common at first. We never force children to eat. Instead we offer the same nutritious meals in a relaxed, social setting each day. Once children see their friends enjoying food, most naturally start to try new things within a few weeks.
“How do you handle illness?”
We follow UKHSA guidance closely so our decisions are always clear and consistent. You will never receive a confusing or unexpected call. We explain our illness policy from the start so you know exactly what to expect. It helps keep everyone safe and avoids unnecessary worry.
“Will nursery ruin their sleep routine?”
Before your child starts we talk through their sleep routine together. We create a simple sleep plan that works for them, including nap times, calming wind-down routines and a quiet sleep space aligned with NHS safe sleep guidance. In the first few weeks we adjust things gently based on how your child responds.
“I will spend the whole day wondering if they are okay”
We send a daily update so you know how your child's day has been. You will see how they slept, what they ate, their activities and how they were feeling. In the first week we also send a quick reassurance update after drop-off, so you know they have settled happily.
Safety & Safeguarding
What keeping children safe looks like in practice
Every nursery says children come first. Here is how we make that real every day at Little Lambs.
The things that quietly keep children safe
Paediatric first aiders are on site at all times. Every sleeping child has regular sleep checks. Our illness policy follows NHS guidance so decisions are always clear and consistent. Allergy action plans are agreed with parents before a child starts and reviewed together regularly. If a safeguarding concern ever arises, it is referred immediately. No exceptions.
Honest communication, not brochure language
You can see our Ofsted report, meal menus, staff ratios and policies in full. If something goes wrong, we tell you the same day and explain exactly what happened and what we have done about it. Parents should never feel left guessing.
Experienced staff who stay
High staff turnover is one of the biggest hidden risks in childcare. We invest heavily in our team through training, supervision and professional development. Many of our staff have been here for years. When children see the same trusted adults each day, they feel secure and confident.
Funding and fees, handled clearly
We manage your 15 or 30 hours funding directly with the local authority. We remind you when codes need renewing and explain exactly how funding works. Invoices are simple and transparent. No hidden extras and no unexpected charges.
Safety and trust are built through small decisions every day. We are always happy to talk through any questions when you visit.
Book a tourWhat parents say
- ★★★★★
“Little Lambs has been absolutely wonderful, and we are genuinely so sad that we had to leave. Our son spent the last few months there and absolutely loved it. In such a short time, we saw him grow so much in confidence, independence and curiosity. The staff are incredibly caring, attentive and genuinely invested in the children, you can really see how much they love what they do. We felt completely reassured leaving him there, knowing he was in such kind and capable hands.”
Diletta M.
- ★★★★★
“Our twins started nursery here at 13 months old. I must say I have been incredibly impressed and feel very fortunate to have found Little Lambs. The entire team go above and beyond for the children. They are experienced and you can tell they truly enjoy what they do. I watched my boys grow exponentially and in such a short amount of time. The facilities are great, clean, secure and I felt my kids were safe there.”
Isaac S.
- ★★★★★
“We absolutely cannot recommend little lambs enough. They have provided such a caring and supportive environment for our little one. Every day finding ways to provide different and engaging activities. They seem to really take pride in getting to know our child and finding ways to help him have a good time. As well as being warm and friendly the team are very professional and provide a safe place that we trust when we are not there.”
Kirsty O.
Come and see us
Come and meet us at Rye Lane
The best way to know if Little Lambs is right for your family is to see it for yourself. Come and meet the team, look round the rooms and garden, and ask us anything you'd like to know.