University of Chester, Kingsway Buildings Nursery

Animal figures trapped in ice and vegetables discovered in soil brought learning to life in January 2024 at University of Chester, Kingsway Buildings Nursery. At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and highlighted communication and language as a strength, with conversations during play helping children express what they needed.

The nursery has 40 places in total and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months. Its address is Kingsway, Newton, Chester, CH2 2LB. For parents, the strongest inspection examples connect practical exploration with attentive adult support.

In January 2024, the early years foundation stage took shape through books and songs for babies, exploratory activities for toddlers and collaborative tasks for older children. Babies shared stories with staff; toddlers investigated vegetables in soil; older children worked on releasing animal figures from ice. These examples give families a concrete picture of learning through handling materials, talking and investigating.

Outdoor equipment supported movement. In January 2024, children used balance bicycles and scooters, alongside opportunities to climb and practise balance. Smaller movements had their own place: babies transferred flour between containers with spoons, while children practised spreading butter and jam with knives. Physical learning reached beyond the outdoor area.

Visitors also connected activities with the wider world. In January 2024, a local community police officer explained his work, while a dentist helped children learn about toothbrushing using a model crocodile. The activities made jobs and personal care tangible. However, opportunities to understand different cultures and communities needed broadening, and staff did not consistently develop mathematical ideas during play.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and reported that prompt referrals, professional advice and support plans helped children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress.

In January 2024, close relationships with staff helped children become familiar with routines, and adults stayed nearby to offer comfort when needed. Individual plans supported children needing extra help with communication. These were practical mechanisms for responding to individual needs.

Communication with families extended learning beyond nursery. In January 2024, parents received updates about development and ideas for activities at home, giving them ways to continue what their children were learning. The nursery also provided food, and toothbrushing activities connected care routines with children's understanding of their bodies.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Those closures matter when arranging care around work.

In January 2024, session times ran from 8am to 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

• Early mathematics. In January 2024, staff did not consistently extend children's understanding of numbers and other mathematical ideas. Ask during a visit how mathematical learning now develops through the ice investigations and other exploratory activities.
• Understanding other communities. January 2024 activities included professional visitors, but learning about people from different cultures and communities needed broadening. This is a material consideration for families weighing the breadth of children's experiences.
• Christmas closure. The nursery closes for one week at Christmas as well as bank holidays. Families needing care throughout that period will need to plan around the closure.

This nursery merits consideration by families who value conversation, practical exploration and communication between home and nursery. Its January 2024 examples are memorable: investigating ice, riding balance bicycles and practising toothbrushing on a model crocodile. The balance is clear, with early mathematics and understanding different communities the two areas needing further development at that visit.