Hetty, Hoole Enterprise Trust, Time for You

Block-built aircraft, plants tended by children and stories shared with staff give Hetty's May 2023 picture its character: learning grew from things children could make, notice and discuss. At its 5 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good overall.

Based on Hoole Lane in Chester, the setting has capacity for 56 children. The children attending in May 2023 were aged two to eleven, spanning nursery provision and care for older children; that age range belongs to that visit.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2023 examples included learning through construction, conversation and practical tasks: staff helped children think through how to extend a model aircraft rather than simply doing it for them.

In May 2023, books offered opportunities to discuss characters' emotions, while older children talked about the different jobs of authors and illustrators. Mathematics also emerged through play: children combined triangles to create a diamond and recognised shapes around them. Plant-growing gave them changes to observe and responsibilities to practise.

Large-group learning needed more careful organisation in May 2023. Some activities did not accommodate everyone taking part, reducing some children's involvement and opportunities to learn. This matters alongside the more individual exchanges: a well-chosen activity still needs to work for the children gathered around it.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effective, with the SENCo coordinating referrals and helping staff use agreed individual strategies.

During May 2023, staff assessed children's learning to identify extra help, and parents valued communication about development and care. Practical independence was visible in children peeling bananas, clearing their plates and wiping up spilled water. Handwashing and conversations about food linked everyday routines with health.

Staff also used books to help children consider feelings. Alongside cooperative model-making and helping one another carry objects, this gave social learning a practical place in the day.

The address is Hoole C of E Primary & Nursery School, Hoole Lane, Chester, CH2 3HB.

In May 2023, the setting operated throughout the year on weekdays. Nursery and holiday-club sessions ran from 7.45am to 5.45pm; care outside school hours ran from 7.45am to 8.45am and from 3.15pm to 5.45pm. Funded early education then covered children aged two, three and four.

The nursery operated within Hoole Church of England Primary School in May 2023. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place: families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Group activities. Organisation of larger gatherings was the May 2023 improvement point. At a visit, ask how activities now accommodate children with different needs and levels of engagement.
• Nursery and school-age care. The May 2023 offer combined nursery sessions, holiday care and sessions outside school hours. How do today's attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements fit your child's age and your working week?

Hetty suits families interested in practical, play-based learning, with a May 2023 picture built around construction, stories and growing plants. Its historical attendance offer served both nursery-day care and shorter sessions around school. The Good judgement provides a useful dated assessment, balanced by the need to organise large-group activities more carefully.