Busy Lizzie's Nursery

In May 2023, Busy Lizzie's Nursery combined an open-plan play space with a garden used for balancing and outdoor exploration. In May 2023, children could move outdoors for much of the day and select their own drawing materials. Choice was part of the daily routine, rather than confined to an organised activity.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 3 May 2023 inspection. Based at the 5th Chichester Scout Hut on Whyke Road, it has capacity for 34 children aged six months to five years. It operates during term time.

The EYFS sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines help children build skills alongside exploring their interests. In May 2023, the curriculum used those interests as a starting point for the next steps in learning.

The garden gave physical development a concrete form. During that May 2023 visit, children tested their balance using wobble boards and large planks. In the mud kitchen, pretend cooking became a conversation about vegetables and healthy food. These examples connected movement, language and discovery to activities children had chosen.

A book of the week gave reading a shared thread in May 2023, alongside songs and stories with rhythmic actions. Families also contributed stories, flag decoration and food from different countries, helping children explore their own cultures and those of others.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with SEND successful, including additional adults funded to help them participate and guidance for parents about support beyond the nursery.

In May 2023, children returned to their key person for contact and play, showing the importance of a familiar adult through the day. Staff responded sensitively to disagreements and encouraged children to listen to one another. Independence extended to small care routines: children served themselves fruit and milk, cleaned their noses and washed their hands before eating.

Parent communication in May 2023 included regular updates about development. Staff also received training and supervision, with safeguarding discussed in team meetings. These are dated examples of how relationships and care worked, rather than a description of today's staffing arrangements.

The address is 5th Chichester Scout Hut, Whyke Road, Chichester, PO19 8HS. Opening hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays. That calendar makes holiday childcare a separate planning task for families who need care throughout the year.

In May 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of a funded place now.

• Time to answer. The May 2023 improvement point concerned adults moving on too quickly after asking questions. Children needed more thinking time to recall what they knew and form a response.
• Term-time calendar. School-holiday closures matter for families whose working year continues through the holidays. Build those dates into childcare planning.
• A settling visit. The May 2023 account emphasised children's connections with their key person. On a visit, ask how that relationship is established during settling.

Busy Lizzie's suits families seeking term-time childcare, with an inspection-era picture of child-led play, outdoor activity and growing independence. The May 2023 findings offer concrete reasons to consider it: familiar adults, practical self-care and a garden used for physical challenges. The teaching improvement point also matters, especially for children who need longer to put their thoughts into words.