Collingbourne Day Nursery

Story-led play and a mud kitchen shaped Collingbourne Day Nursery's July 2024 provision: familiar tales gave children opportunities to explore size, food and imaginative play. At its July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective.

The Birmingham setting has capacity for 30 children aged 24 to 60 months. The central consideration is consistency: the July 2024 findings called for changes to become established in everyday practice, more thinking time during conversations and better choices about outdoor play.

In July 2024, activities drew on familiar stories, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Role play connected the story with comparing sizes and discussing healthy eating, giving children practical ways to explore ideas through something they recognised.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2024 activities brought its learning areas into play through storytelling, creative exploration and physical activity.

Children experimented with paint and shaving foam, investigating colour and texture while making constructions. Outdoors, bikes, steps and a slide supported movement; the mud kitchen provided opportunities to mix ingredients and fill containers. Digging and filling plant pots brought counting into hands-on play.

Choice needed more attention. In July 2024, outdoor access sometimes depended on whether the space had been prepared or the door was open, reducing opportunities for children who preferred learning outside.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children learning English as an additional language, using communication tools and working with families and professionals to address learning gaps.

In July 2024, staff recognised when children needed reassurance, while conversations, newsletters and a parent partnership book connected families with their children's activities and learning. These gave parents ways to continue learning at home.

Adult conversation also needed a slower pace. Children were sometimes asked successive questions before they had enough time to think and answer. Allowing that pause matters for children who need longer to express themselves.

The address is Collingbourne Nursery, 67 Collingbourne Avenue, Birmingham, B36 8PE. The nursery operates during term time and closes for school holidays. Opening hours are 09:00 to 15:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 09:00 to 17:00 on Thursday and Friday.

In July 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Outdoor choice. July 2024 findings identified interruptions to outdoor access. On a visit, ask how children can choose outdoor play through the day.
• Time to answer. Conversations sometimes moved too quickly in July 2024. Ask how practitioners allow children time to think before responding.
• Consistency of practice. Changes still needed to become established in July 2024. Ask how everyday learning is monitored across staff and activities.

Collingbourne suits families seeking term-time attendance for children aged 24 to 60 months, with story-based play and practical outdoor experiences prominent in its July 2024 provision. The Good judgement provides a clear inspection position; the decision turns on how consistently children now receive thinking time, choices and access to the outdoor space.