Pavilion Pre-School Nursery, The Old Auction House

Cocoa-scented play dough, a resident rabbit and a garden gave this Attleborough nursery a practical, hands-on character in May 2023. Children helped measure ingredients, cared for an animal and grew food: everyday experiences became opportunities to learn.

Pavilion Pre-School Nursery, The Old Auction House has capacity for 40 children aged 24 to 60 months. Ofsted rated it Good on 17 May 2023. The strongest examples from that visit combined children's own interests with conversation, imaginative play and growing independence.

In May 2023, children chose activities indoors and in the nursery garden. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care; here, play offered opportunities to practise language, counting and physical skills. Making dough involved following a recipe and measuring ingredients, giving numbers a purpose children could understand.

The play kitchen supported pretend meals and menu reading. Staff extended conversations, explained unfamiliar vocabulary and used pictures to help children who found communication harder. Children also built with three-dimensional shapes using illustrated instructions and tested their balance on a narrow beam whose height they chose.

Outdoor and community experiences added another dimension in May 2023. Children planted fruit and vegetables and helped look after the resident rabbit. Trips to the local library and shops connected learning with the wider community; visits involving a vet, the air ambulance and police introduced children to people who help others.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, progress monitoring useful in identifying children needing help, and support appropriate for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff worked with other professionals where additional help was needed.

In May 2023, children who struggled to separate from parents received time and reassurance. Everyday routines encouraged independence through handwashing, toileting and clearing away cups. These were concrete steps towards managing more for themselves before school.

Communication and staff development needed attention at that visit. Families received conversations at either end of the day, but plans to involve them more closely in learning had yet to take effect. Staff supervision also needed strengthening so that coaching and support became more consistent. Snacks were supplied by the nursery; parents brought packed lunches, and closer work with families on balanced lunches was an improvement priority.

The address is The Old Auction House, Thieves Lane, Attleborough, NR17 2AP. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In May 2023, funded early education was offered for three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated funding position rather than a promise of a current funded place.

• Learning updates. Closer involvement of parents in children's learning was a May 2023 improvement priority. At a visit, ask how learning updates now work between daily conversations.
• Staff coaching. Supervision needed strengthening in May 2023. Ask how practitioners now receive regular coaching and support.
• Packed lunches. In May 2023, parents supplied lunches and healthier eating needed more consistent support. Ask what guidance families receive about lunch contents.

This nursery suits families seeking care for older toddlers and preschool children, with an opening window that spans the working day. Its May 2023 examples give the review substance: practical cooking play, garden learning and community experiences. The balance is clear, too. Parent communication, staff coaching and packed-lunch guidance deserve attention alongside the Good judgement.