Thank you for your review and your kind comments about our Nursery and staff team.  We were very sad to hear that you feel things have changed in the last couple of months, and also surprised following receipt of the wonderful testimonial you sent to us recently about the fantastic experience you have had at Little Muffins.  We have been working very hard to further improve our Nursery, and the changes you mention in your review have been implemented for the benefit of every child who attends our setting.  Children wearing shoes is part of our school readiness programme.  We feel it is crucial for children to leave our Nursery well prepared, not only for the educational aspects of starting school, but also the practical, for example, the requirement to wear shoes.  We have invested in proper crockery for our children, as we feel meal times are a fantastic opportunity to develop children’s personal, social and emotional development.  By providing children with ceramic tableware we aim to replicate the home environment where mealtimes are a social occasion at which children can interact with their peers.  Placing trust in children also improves their self-confidence.  Although we do not have outdoor space, children go on daily outings into the community and take part in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities.  We also provide Forest School sessions in nearby Ravenscourt Park.  We do not believe the investment and refurbishment in the nursery mirrors the “satisfactory” ratings.