Hythe
Nursling
Basingstoke
Southampton
Hythe
Our Approach
At Little Shipmates, we believe that the first years of a child’s life are full of wonder, curiosity, and growth - and that every child deserves a joyful, safe, and inspiring start. Our approach is designed with both children and parents in mind: creating a place where little ones can explore, learn, and grow with confidence, while giving parents peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of.
From day-to-day routines to play-based learning and nurturing relationships, every decision we make reflects our mission to support your child’s development and make childcare stress-free for families.
For Little Ones - Growing with Joy
At Little Shipmates, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, happy, and inspired. Every day is full of play, exploration, and learning experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.
Play-Based Learning: Children explore through guided and open play, building skills naturally while having fun.
Emotional Wellbeing: We help every child feel secure, supported, and confident in forming relationships.
Individual Focus: Every child is unique, and our team tailors activities to match their interests and stage of development, encouraging independence and a love of learning.
Our child-centred approach ensures that every day supports social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development - giving your little one the best start in life.
For Families - Stress-Free Childcare
We know that life as a parent is busy, and choosing childcare can feel overwhelming. That’s why at Little Shipmates, we make it as easy and stress-free as possible. From the moment your child joins us, everything is taken care of: meals, nappies, wipes, spare clothes - even messy art and outdoor play gear. All you need to do is drop your child off and enjoy your day, knowing they’re safe, happy, and thriving.
We also provide clear communication every day - from updates on meals and activities to photos and progress reports - so you’re always in the loop without needing to chase information. Our goal is simple: give you peace of mind while your child enjoys every moment.
Everything Taken Care Of
Fully stocked for the day: meals, snacks, nappies, wipes, and clothing.
Safe & inspiring spaces: indoor and outdoor areas designed for exploration.
Daily updates for parents: photos, progress notes, and clear communication.
Flexible support: we help with enrolment, funding guidance, and practical arrangements.
With everything in place, you can drop your child off and enjoy your day - confident that they are learning, playing, and being cared for by people who truly love what they do.
Our People - Care You Can Trust
Our team isn’t just trained – they genuinely care. With warmth, experience, and patience, our educators create safe, nurturing environments where every child feels known, valued, and supported as an individual. We believe that strong, trusting relationships are at the heart of exceptional early years care, and our team takes the time to build meaningful connections with both children and their families.
Each member of our team brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for supporting children’s development, helping them grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence. We carefully select our staff not only for their qualifications, but for their kindness, empathy, and dedication to making a positive difference in every child’s day.
We are committed to continuous improvement and invest in ongoing professional development, ensuring our educators stay up to date with the latest best practices in early years education. This allows us to provide consistently high-quality care, tailored to meet the unique needs of every child, giving parents complete peace of mind.
