More Grace Day Nursery

A pretend hairdressing salon and garden adventures give More Grace Day Nursery's June 2022 account its character: children chose what to explore, played together and practised doing things for themselves. Based at Eversley Leisure Centre in Basildon, the nursery has 46 places in total and accepts children from six months old.

At its 21 June 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and safeguarding effective. That is a dated assessment of care and education, rather than a description of today's daily routines.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday interactions support learning alongside their care needs.

In June 2022, children's interests shaped activities. In pretend salon play, a child investigated how a hair clip worked, sought help and then kept practising the opening mechanism. It was a small, concrete example of persistence and independence.

Story sessions that month encouraged children to contribute their ideas about shadows. Expressive reading gave them reasons to listen and speak. Outdoors, the garden supported shared adventures, while sand timers helped children take turns with equipment. These experiences connected conversation, cooperation and practical exploration.

In June 2022, younger children received comfort when upset, and children built close relationships with their key person and other staff. Key people also gave parents regular updates about learning and development, connecting nursery experiences with home.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs coordinator worked with parents and the local authority, and that targeted speech support helped children make good progress. Staff gathered information when children started and used increasingly complex language and instructions to extend communication.

The address is Eversley Leisure Centre, Crest Avenue, Basildon, SS13 2EF. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

In June 2022, nursery sessions ran from 9am to 6pm throughout the year. Breakfast club ran from 7.30am to 8.30am, and after-school club from 3.30pm to 6pm, both during term time for children attending local primary schools. At that time, the setting provided funded early-years places for children aged two, three and four.

• Indoor turn-taking. In June 2022, sharing aids used outdoors were not carried through indoors, leaving children more dependent on adult help. On a visit, ask how children now practise managing turns inside.
• Teaching consistency. In June 2022, staff development needed a sharper emphasis on improving teaching across the team. Ask how training translates into everyday practice.

This June 2022 picture suits families considering nursery sessions alongside breakfast or after-school care: it covers child-led play, close adult relationships and practical communication support. The garden and pretend salon examples give that picture substance. Consistency in indoor behaviour support and staff development are the two clear points to explore when judging its present-day fit.