Teddy Wilf's, The Westgate

In November 2024, tyre towers, play dough and bedtime stories for dolls gave learning a practical character at Teddy Wilf's, The Westgate. At its November 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found safeguarding effective. The strongest detail lies beneath that judgement: adults used children's play to introduce mathematical language, conversation and ways to understand their feelings.

Based at Westgate Leisure Centre in Chichester, the nursery has 27 places in total and accepts children aged 6 to 59 months. That whole-setting capacity should not be confused with the number of children together in a particular group.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, play provides practical opportunities to develop language and explore ideas. In November 2024, children built a tower using tyres, compared their heights and encountered words describing size. Older children measured ingredients for play dough, bringing quantities and texture into an activity they could handle themselves.

Imaginary play also gave children reasons to cooperate. In November 2024, they negotiated roles, cared for dolls and pretended to feed pets. Adults brought books into this play so that a doll's bedtime could include a story. The connection matters: reading became part of children's chosen activity rather than a separate interruption.

At the November 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that close work with parents helped identify children's next learning steps, while children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made excellent progress. This gives families a dated assessment of support built around individual development.

In November 2024, staff worked with speech and language therapists and combined signing and picture symbols with spoken language. Children therefore had different ways to express themselves and communicate with friends. Adults also treated behaviour as a clue to children's needs, helping them find words for feelings; with babies, they described what their responses might mean before meeting the need.

Health education had a practical rhythm in November 2024. Daily tooth-brushing included babies exploring toothbrushes after eating, while discussions connected food and drink choices with how bodies work. Learning also covered staying safe on roads and online. These were everyday habits and conversations, rather than health topics left as abstract ideas.

The address is Westgate Leisure Centre, Via Ravenna, Chichester, PO19 1RJ. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas.

In November 2024, the nursery received government funding for eligible children. This is a dated participation fact, rather than a guarantee of an individual child's entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Settling and communication. In November 2024, adults responded to babies' cues and helped older children express their feelings. How would settling and communication with home work for your child?
• Size in context. There are 27 places across the nursery. Treat that as the setting's total capacity when weighing its scale, rather than as a room size or daily group count.

Teddy Wilf's, The Westgate suits families seeking weekday childcare across the year who value learning through practical play. Its November 2024 assessment provides strong support for the quality of education and individual help. The most persuasive examples are concrete: comparing heights beside a tyre tower, using pictures to communicate and practising tooth-brushing as part of the day.