Sunny Days Preschool Nursery

Weighing objects, learning new words and taking responsibility for toys give Sunny Days Preschool Nursery a practical, independence-building character. At its May 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised consistent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Based in Ripley, the nursery accepts children aged 24 to 60 months and has 34 places in total. The strongest inspection examples connect learning with ordinary routines, rather than treating education as a separate part of the day.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its inspection-time expression included mathematical exploration, conversation, stories and songs: children practised skills through activities and everyday exchanges.

In May 2025, children compared objects by weight, while staff introduced vocabulary to help them explain their thinking. Conversations about plants also gave children words they could bring into their play. These examples make the learning tangible: children were handling objects and discussing ideas, rather than simply hearing explanations.

Independence had a practical role too. In May 2025, children in the room for three-year-olds helped themselves to snacks, and children took responsibility for putting toys away. Staff encouraged them to attempt solutions themselves. These small responsibilities gave children opportunities to practise managing everyday tasks.

There was an important limitation. In May 2025, staff sometimes moved conversations on before children had enough time to answer. More precisely targeted staff development was required so that opportunities to deepen learning were used consistently.

In May 2025, children turned to staff for reassurance when distressed, and adults responded gently when routines became difficult. Staff helped children manage feelings and understand behavioural expectations. That gives parents a concrete picture of the relationships behind the inspection judgement.

Support arrangements in May 2025 included special educational needs coordinators working with families and external professionals, reviewing development and adjusting teaching. Preparation for school included visits from teachers and passing information to local schools, helping the next adults understand children's needs.

Daily collection conversations were one way staff communicated with families in May 2025. However, information about children's learning was shared unevenly. Improving that exchange was an explicit action, because parents need enough detail to continue learning at home.

The address is 109a Derby Road, Ripley, DE5 3HT. The age range starts at 24 months, so this is a choice for families beyond the baby stage.

In May 2025, opening hours ran from 7.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays during term time. At that date, the nursery received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. Those arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Learning conversations. Staff did not consistently allow enough response time in May 2025. Ask how staff development now helps adults extend children's thinking.
• Learning at home. Sharing learning information was an improvement priority in May 2025. During a visit, request an example of the updates a family receives.
• Planning attendance. The May 2025 opening pattern was term time only. What attendance arrangements and funded-hour charge structure would apply to your child's proposed booking?

Sunny Days suits parents seeking care from 24 months onwards, with practical learning and growing independence central to their choice. The May 2025 examples give substance to its Good judgement. Consistency in extending learning and sharing it with families are the two points that deserve attention when deciding whether it fits.