Nurturing Minds Day Nursery

Calm routines and carefully tailored support give Nurturing Minds Day Nursery its clearest character. At its 1 June 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion and behaviour, attitudes and routines to be at the Strong standard, with achievement, welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, and leadership at the Expected standard; safeguarding standards were met.

The Rugeley nursery has capacity for 69 children. Children attending in June 2026 were aged 0 to 4. The strongest decision point is the balance between personalised care and teaching that still needed greater consistency.

In June 2026, everyday objects supplied much of the learning: children compared dinosaurs by size, explored which natural materials fitted into metal bowls and made marks with vehicles in a large sand tray. These experiences connected early mathematics, conversation and physical skills to play.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2026 curriculum concentrated on communication, movement and children's personal, emotional and social development. A tyre swing gave children opportunities to strengthen their bodies, while dough tools exercised smaller hand movements.

Teaching had clear limitations that month. Conversations sometimes stopped before staff had developed children's language further, and group activities were not consistently adjusted for different developmental stages. Some children consequently lost interest. These are meaningful qualifications to the otherwise engaging materials and activities.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that personalised settling sessions, adaptations to routines and collaboration with families and external professionals supported inclusion, including help to secure extra funding and prepare education, health and care plans. Bucket Time was a targeted activity supporting listening and concentration.

In June 2026, familiar key persons knew children's care routines, and sleeping children received regular checks. Children could take longer over transitions when needed. Emotional vocabulary helped them name feelings, while children already familiar with a room acted as buddies for those settling into it.

Parents participated through stay-and-play sessions and parents' evenings that month. Children practised independence by preparing sandwiches and clearing their plates. However, support with tissues and explanations of handwashing were inconsistent: personal hygiene remained an improvement priority.

The address is The Academy, Celcon House, Power Station Road, Rugeley, WS15 2HS.

In June 2026, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Session timings were adapted to individual family circumstances that month, helping address barriers to attendance. This is a dated example of flexibility rather than a fixed booking pattern.

• Teaching across developmental stages. In June 2026, some group activities lost children's attention because they were insufficiently adapted. During a visit, ask how staff now adjust shared activities and extend conversations for children at different stages.
• Everyday hygiene. Consistent teaching about tissues and handwashing was a June 2026 improvement priority. Ask how those routines are reinforced throughout the day.
• Matching attendance to family life. June 2026 practice included adjustments to session timings for individual families. Discuss the attendance arrangement that would suit your child before committing.

Personalised routines and practical help for families stand out in the June 2026 account. This nursery suits families who value supported settling and adaptations for individual needs. The balance matters: inclusion was a strength, while language interactions, group teaching and hygiene routines needed more consistent delivery.