Nipperbout, BIC and Bournemouth Pavilion

In February 2023, short runs of childcare, sensory activities and outings to the beach gave this Bournemouth crèche its character. At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported.

Nipperbout, BIC and Bournemouth Pavilion has capacity for 60 children. In February 2023, children attending were aged 1 to 4, and the crèche operated on days arranged in advance rather than a fixed everyday schedule.

In February 2023, spices and pasta became materials for sensory exploration and imaginative pictures. Staff demonstrated song actions, explained activities and used questions to develop children's thinking. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care: here, play, conversation and exploration gave those requirements practical expression.

Daily community outings at that time included the local gardens and beach. Children played with balls, gathered shells and searched for wildlife, taking learning beyond the indoor activities.

Room dividers separated age groups in February 2023, with equipment catering for different stages of development. However, older children's activities sometimes conflicted with younger children's needs, and the space set aside for the youngest was not consistently used effectively. Making better use of that space was the required improvement. This matters for families weighing how a shared crèche environment will work for a very young child.

In February 2023, each child's key person helped them settle and build relationships with other adults and children. Staff collected information about interests and learning from parents and other settings, then shared observations with families. That gave a short stay continuity with the child's experiences elsewhere.

Older children helped formulate positive rules. Staff responded to one child's reluctance to join an activity by suggesting a game of pool nearby. Staff briefings before the crèche opened, appraisals and training supported the team's preparation.

Food was prepared on site in February 2023, with dietary needs taken into account and parents choosing lunch and dinner. Adults ate alongside children, and water was accessible throughout the day.

The address is Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. The venue-based arrangement is central to understanding this provision: in February 2023, it ran on pre-arranged days, and individual crèche runs often lasted only a few days.

At that time, staff assessed risks for outings and involved children in learning how to stay safe. For families using care alongside an event, the arrangements for that particular run matter more than assumptions about a conventional nursery timetable.

• Space for the youngest. The February 2023 improvement concerned how designated space was used when older and younger children shared rooms. Ask how the layout and activities will protect your child's space during the crèche run you intend to use.
• Short stays and continuity. In February 2023, staff gathered information before children started and linked activities to their interests. Preparing a clear account of routines and current learning would help make that handover useful.

The arrangements observed in February 2023 suited families considering childcare tied to pre-arranged venue days. Its February 2023 character combined sensory play, community outings and a key-person relationship within short crèche runs. The shared-space arrangement deserves close attention for the youngest children: that was the concrete weakness alongside the positive inspection judgement.