Highgate Day Nursery

Woodland exploration and caring for animals gave Highgate Day Nursery a recognisable character in December 2022: children investigated worms beneath logs, watched the nursery rabbit and gathered eggs from its chickens. These were practical ways to connect learning with living things.

At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Based at The Old School House in Highgate, Boston, it has capacity for 70 children aged two months to five years.

In December 2022, outdoor learning extended from the garden into woodland. Different levels in the garden challenged younger children’s movement, while toddlers tackled uneven ground among leaves and sticks. Comparing sticks introduced language about size; recalling autumn helped preschool children connect seasonal changes with earlier learning.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the December 2022 activities connected that learning with play and everyday tasks: toddlers peeled bananas, younger children practised putting on boots with help, and preschool children removed their own coats and shoes. Independence had concrete steps.

Animal interests also shaped experiences that December. A song accompanied younger children’s interest in the rabbit, while visits to see horses and cows extended learning beyond the nursery. Preschool children explained imaginative stories and played games with rules, giving communication a purpose among friends.

In December 2022, parents received activity photographs and could meet staff to discuss learning. Staff also worked with families on how to support development, connecting nursery experiences with home life.

Everyday care included meals, drinks and healthy snacks that December. Children practised blowing their noses and helped prepare tables for lunch. Ofsted’s December 2022 inspection identified two improvements: helping children understand dental health and explaining why hand hygiene matters during woodland activities.

Safety decisions had practical consequences in December 2022. A roof leak made the outdoor classroom unsafe, and children were prevented from using it. Staff undertook safeguarding training and knew how to raise concerns about children or colleagues.

The address is The Old School House, Highgate, Boston, PE22 0AW. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening apart from Bank Holidays and Christmas.

In December 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated position should be distinguished from a current funding agreement.

• Health habits outdoors. The December 2022 improvement points concerned dental-health teaching and children’s understanding of woodland hand hygiene. These matter for families attracted by the outdoor experiences.
• Attendance arrangements. The opening window runs from 7am to 6pm on weekdays. Which booking pattern and funding arrangement would fit your child’s intended attendance?

Highgate merits consideration for families seeking care between two months and five years, with weekday opening stretching from early morning into the evening. Its December 2022 experiences give animal interests, outdoor movement and practical independence substance. The Good judgement provides a dated quality assessment; the health-teaching improvements belong alongside those strengths.