Shoresh

Jewish life gives Shoresh its character: Hebrew learning, festivals and everyday customs sit alongside early-years education at this Hove nursery. Shoresh has 32 places in total. For families seeking a Jewish early-years setting, that cultural thread is a substantial part of the choice.

At its March 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged behaviour and routines, welfare, inclusion, and leadership to be Strong standard, with achievement and curriculum and teaching at Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. The distinction matters: the care-related judgements were stronger than those for teaching and achievement. More explicit mathematics teaching was the next step.

Full-day care runs across the year. The educational identity and the March 2026 mathematics teaching concern deserve equal attention when weighing the nursery.

The Nest is Shoresh's micro baby and toddler provision, alongside the main nursery.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for children's learning, development and care, covering the everyday work of developing communication, physical skills and independence. Shoresh combines it with Jewish customs, values, festivals and Hebrew reading and writing. Cultural education therefore sits alongside the early-years framework, giving families a clear sense of what shapes the day.

In March 2026, children practised speaking through songs, conversations and work in small groups, and were beginning to use Hebrew. Jewish life was taught alongside other cultures and celebrations. This gave the cultural curriculum a broader context, with opportunities to encounter ways of life beyond the setting's own traditions.

Mathematics needs closer attention. In March 2026, counting and recognising numbers featured in singing, dancing and staff interactions, but explicit teaching needed further development. For parents, the useful distinction is between encountering numbers in activities and receiving deliberate teaching that extends understanding.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden was part of the learning day in March 2026. Children joined staff in considering garden risks, while outdoor balancing and play gave them opportunities to develop physical skills. Taking part in these decisions offered a practical introduction to thinking about safety, rather than simply following an adult's instructions.

Independence also appeared in ordinary routines. In March 2026, younger children served their own drinks and helped clear away plates. These are small tasks with a clear purpose: children have opportunities to contribute to their day and practise doing things for themselves.

At the March 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that staff knew children and their families well, treated personal care sensitively, and supported children with SEND through work with other professionals and adjustments to learning plans. For a parent whose child needs additional support, those mechanisms are more useful than a general promise of inclusion.

During March 2026, staff spoke regularly with families about children's lives at home and used that understanding to support transitions. Children received explanations about feelings and the effect their actions could have on others. Care and emotional learning were connected through everyday conversations.

Personal care included asking children before wiping noses or changing nappies in March 2026. Staff also gave children time to think about their own needs. The practical value is respect for the child during routines that adults might otherwise hurry through.

Visual schedules and gestures helped some children understand expectations in March 2026. Staff adjusted their approach to children's development and responded consistently to disagreements. Parents also received information about development and ideas for extending learning at home, making communication useful beyond a daily account of activities.

Staff development included supervision, reflective discussions and targeted training in March 2026. Interactions and mathematics were among the areas receiving attention, connecting professional development with the teaching work still needed.

Shoresh's address is Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4AD. It has capacity for 32 children in total.

Sessions and Attendance

Full-day care is offered throughout the year. In March 2026, opening hours were 8am to 6pm from Monday to Thursday, with an earlier finish of 3pm on Friday. These are dated opening hours, rather than clock times for a particular booked session.

The shorter Friday window is a practical consideration for families planning a working week. Attendance routines also received attention in March 2026: staff monitored absences and discussed regular attendance with parents, linking familiar routines with preparation for children's next stage.

• Mathematics teaching. Developing explicit mathematics teaching was the March 2026 next step. On a visit, ask how staff now extend counting and number understanding beyond songs and everyday activities.
• Friday planning. The March 2026 opening pattern ended at 3pm on Fridays, earlier than the other weekdays. Consider how that finish fits your family's weekly commitments.

Shoresh suits families seeking year-round, full-day care with Jewish education woven into early learning. The March 2026 findings give concrete examples of considerate care, family communication and everyday independence. Explicit mathematics teaching remains the point to examine most closely. Families should weigh that educational detail alongside the nursery's cultural identity and the shorter Friday opening pattern.