Jump Start Nursery

Storytelling in a soft-play area gives Jump Start Nursery a memorable educational example: children recreated The Three Little Pigs while staff helped them develop their language. At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, with communication and teaching tailored to individual children among its strongest findings.

Based at Moulsecoomb Children's Centre in Brighton, the nursery has capacity for 34 children aged 3 to 60 months. Its inspection-era account is especially relevant to families interested in support for early communication and relationships.

In January 2023, staff adapted activities and their interactions to what each child needed to learn next. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the storytelling example connected imaginative play with practising language.

The soft-play area served an educational purpose beyond physical activity. Recreating The Three Little Pigs gave children a shared story to explore through play, with adults helping them communicate.

A recent Chinese New Year celebration also informed imaginative play in January 2023. Children used noodles and discussed food enjoyed by different families. This brought conversations about similarities and differences into something concrete and familiar, rather than leaving them as abstract ideas.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children needing additional learning support made exceptional progress and that safeguarding arrangements were effective. Staff identified where specialist input was needed and worked with health visitors and speech and language therapists.

In January 2023, emotional support included helping children who found separation from parents difficult and building trust with familiar adults. Children sought comfort from staff and approached them during play. For families weighing settling alongside learning, those everyday interactions are a useful part of the nursery's dated picture.

Training also had a practical application in January 2023: speech and language therapists helped staff develop activities aimed at children's communication needs. Support was connected to individual priorities, rather than simply adding the same activity for everyone.

The address is Moulsecoomb Children's Centre, Hodshrove Lane, Brighton, BN2 4SE. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm Friday. That shorter Friday needs to fit the family timetable.

The nursery opens throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. In January 2023, it accepted early-education funding for children aged two, three and four; that is a dated funding position.

• Friday's shorter opening. The day ends at 1pm, compared with 5pm Monday to Thursday. Families needing afternoon care on Fridays should weigh that difference carefully.
• Your child's starting point. The January 2023 account centres on tailored communication activities and specialist collaboration. On a visit, ask how settling and learning support would be organised for your child now.

Jump Start Nursery merits attention from families who place communication and emotional support high on their priorities. Its January 2023 assessment gives those priorities substance through storytelling, targeted language activities and specialist collaboration. The year-round calendar suits families seeking continuity beyond term time, provided the shorter Friday fits their routine.