Tiddlywinks Day Nursery

Magnetic-brick measuring games, story sacks and woodland exploration give Tiddlywinks Day Nursery a recognisable character in its January 2022 account of daily life. The emphasis was on children trying things for themselves, from comparing lengths to choosing outdoor clothing.

Tiddlywinks has capacity for 74 children aged two to five at Church End, Kempston, Bedford, MK43 8RH. Ofsted rated it Good on 21 January 2022.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: play supports children's language, physical skills and understanding of the world. In January 2022, mathematical ideas emerged through practical games, including measuring themselves against magnetic bricks and loading toy animals into boats. These examples connected counting and comparison to something children could handle. The January 2022 account also describes children spotting shapes in the garden and identifying a roof as a cone. Mathematical exploration moved between toys, their own bodies and the surroundings, rather than depending on a single activity. Comparing the lengths of their brick constructions gave children something concrete to discuss together.

Books also prompted participation. In January 2022, younger children guessed animals beneath flaps, while older children matched story-sack toys to the narrative. Listening had a practical purpose: children used what they heard to anticipate what came next. During the January 2022 storytelling, staff paused their reading to ask which animal might follow. The toys then gave children a way to respond to the story through objects as well as words. For younger children, lifting a flap let them test their guess against the picture underneath.

Outdoor activity involved more than fresh air. In January 2022, garden beams and logs provided balancing challenges, while local walks included climbing trees and exploring woodland. Staff stayed nearby to help. Children could choose to use the garden and put on their own outdoor clothing, giving them opportunities to make everyday decisions. In January 2022, that included discussing whether cold weather called for hats and gloves. Dressing for outdoor play involved thinking about comfort and conditions as well as managing clothing. The garden and woodland examples also offered different physical challenges: balancing on equipment in one setting and climbing trees in another.

At the January 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress, support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities was especially effective, and safeguarding arrangements were effective.

Relationships had practical substance in January 2022: parents spoke positively about contact with their child's key person and information about development. Children helped distribute meals and used cutlery, making mealtimes another opportunity to practise independence. In January 2022, older children also identified their own names, adding another everyday task they could manage themselves. These examples show what independence meant in that account: recognising a name, serving food to other children and handling the practical steps involved in going outside.

Health activities in January 2022 included yoga breathing exercises, summer outdoor sport and a dentist's visit about caring for teeth. Staff had paediatric first-aid training, assessed risks daily and discussed continuing staff suitability through supervision and meetings. In January 2022, staff also spoke with children at their height and used eye contact to hold their attention during conversation. Singing formed part of the day. That gave language practice several forms, alongside the books and animal-guessing activities: listening to an adult, joining in songs and responding to questions.

The address is Church End, Kempston, Bedford, MK43 8RH. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In January 2022, its session window ran from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. At that time, it provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Stretching confident learners. In January 2022, staff sometimes missed opportunities to take higher-achieving children's learning further. Ask how practitioners now build on skills a child has already mastered.
• Developing vocabulary. The January 2022 improvement priorities included introducing more demanding words during play. On a visit, discuss how staff extend children's language through books and conversation.
• Attendance and funding. With year-round operation and Christmas closure, how would your intended attendance pattern fit the current session choices and funded-hours arrangements?

Tiddlywinks suits families seeking care for children aged two to five who value practical play and opportunities for independence. Its January 2022 examples give parents concrete points to explore: active storytelling, outdoor challenges and everyday responsibilities. The Good judgement provides a dated assessment; extending confident learners and developing vocabulary deserve attention alongside those strengths.