Flying Start, Illogan

Growing food, clearing plates and helping younger children find their boots: practical independence gives Flying Start, Illogan its character. At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, with a curriculum that gave particular attention to children's emotional development and relationships.

The nursery has 26 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months. Its Churchtown setting in Illogan combines opportunities to learn everyday skills with outdoor exploration, illustrated by the activities children took part in during September 2024.

The early years foundation stage is the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care: it brings learning and everyday care together rather than treating them as separate parts of the day. In September 2024, children practised independence through ordinary routines, including disposing of their lunch leftovers and washing their own plates. Even the youngest took part. These were concrete opportunities to contribute, rather than tasks reserved for adults.

Play also supplied opportunities for early mathematics. During September 2024, staff used a line of toy cars to introduce counting and adding another car. Children could connect a number to something they were handling, making the idea less abstract.

Outdoor spaces were an important part of that month's nursery life. Children spent substantial time outside, grew produce to harvest and eat, and watched rain collect in puddles. The outdoor areas had also been reviewed to introduce more physical challenge. For families who value active exploration, these examples give a useful picture of how movement and curiosity fitted into the day.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and staff supervision attentive. That is a dated judgement about practice, alongside the overall Good rating.

Relationships were visible in small acts during September 2024: older children helped younger ones with their boots, while adults encouraged sharing and cooperation. Mealtimes included conversation with staff sitting alongside children. These routines gave children opportunities to listen, speak and take account of others.

Regular conversations with parents about development were also part of practice that month. For families, that meant communication could connect what happened at nursery with learning at home.

School preparation extended beyond practical independence. In September 2024, the manager discussed children's next steps with school staff, and teachers visited the nursery so children could become familiar with them. The value was familiarity with the next stage, rather than an admissions advantage.

The address is Illogan Pre School, Churchtown, Illogan, Redruth, TR16 4SW. Opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure in school holidays. Families need an attendance calendar that fits that term-time arrangement.

In September 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This describes the offer at that date rather than establishing a current entitlement or charging arrangement.

• Extending children's thinking. In September 2024, staff sometimes missed opportunities to take children's ideas further. Coaching and mentoring were the improvement priority; on a visit, ask how staff now use questions to develop a child's own thinking during play.
• School-holiday cover. The nursery operates during term time and closes for school holidays. Families needing care throughout the year will need to account for those closures in their arrangements.

Flying Start, Illogan merits consideration for families seeking term-time care and an emphasis on practical independence. The September 2024 examples are persuasive: children helped with everyday tasks, explored outdoors and became familiar with school staff before moving on. The improvement priority was equally specific, asking adults to extend children's thinking further during their interactions.