Cherry Tree Nursery

Fruit-sharing, vegetable play and songs gave everyday learning a practical character at Cherry Tree Nursery in November 2022. Children counted portions, compared shapes and joined familiar refrains: ordinary experiences became opportunities to practise language and mathematics.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 22 November 2022. Based at Hollingdean Sure Start Centre in Brighton, it has capacity for 50 children aged from 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. In November 2022, this meant practising language through songs and stories, mathematics through counting fruit, and independence through serving lunch.

In November 2022, babies joined songs with props, while older children contributed ideas during group conversations and listened to stories. Books in different languages and words from children's home languages connected nursery experiences with family life.

Physical resources made cooperation tangible. That November, children rolled balls through guttering together, persisted with assembling train tracks and used a sand timer to manage turn-taking. These experiences brought patience and shared play into the same activity.

Learning intentions needed greater precision. In November 2022, some general activities lacked a clear next step based on children's existing abilities; making pasta pictures was one example. An enjoyable activity did not always extend learning as far as it could.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support carefully planned, with individual or small-group work, professional collaboration and applications for additional funding where needed.

In November 2022, staff responded sensitively when children struggled with emotions. Everyday independence also received attention: children fetched boots, used tissues and, when older, served lunch and cleared their plates. Care included opportunities to do things for themselves.

Communication that November covered children's care and learning each day. A book loan project supported some families, but help with continuing learning at home was inconsistent across parents. That distinction matters: useful daily updates and practical support at home serve different purposes.

The address is Hollingdean Sure Start Centre, Brentwood Road, Brighton, BN1 7DY. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In November 2022, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement.

• Learning next steps. In November 2022, activities did not consistently build on what children already knew. The important distinction is between taking part and gaining a new skill.
• Support at home. November 2022 practice included a book loan project for some families, alongside inconsistent home-learning support. How does the nursery now help each family continue learning at home?
• Complaints procedures. The compliance outcome dated 3 January 2025 required leaders to make complaints accessible to Ofsted on request, with action due by 16 January 2025. This is the latest published position on that action, rather than a finding about present practice.

Cherry Tree suits families seeking care across the year within weekday opening hours. In November 2022, everyday activities combined practical learning, growing independence and considerate relationships. The decision also deserves attention to learning intentions, support at home and the dated complaints-procedure action.