Sweet Hearts Childcare

Play dough weighed on cooking scales, babies practising standing and children exploring herbs give Sweet Hearts Childcare a practical, hands-on character in its July 2024 account. This Foxhole setting has capacity for 15 children. Small overall capacity is a useful starting point for families who value a setting of this size, although it is not a measure of individual group size.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 3 July 2024. The strongest detail beneath that judgement concerns physical development, everyday independence and learning drawn from children's interests.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the July 2024 examples connect play with movement, language and early mathematics. Staff brought weighing into play dough activities and introduced comparisons using twigs and pine cones. These made mathematical ideas part of something children were already doing.

In July 2024, babies had space for crawling and equipment that supported their attempts to stand. Older children explored herbs and small plants, discussing their names and growing needs. The sowing and growing projects extended this work into learning about plants and where they grow.

Movement also had a regular place in the day. In July 2024, children danced daily, remembered sequences of movements and practised aiming beanbags. Visits to the local park added opportunities to climb. These examples give physical learning more substance than a general promise of active play.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children making good progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with timely support using signing and visual resources to help communication.

In July 2024, close relationships included affectionate exchanges between staff and children. Independence was built through ordinary routines: children prepared fruit, poured drinks and cleared up after snacks. Taking part in these jobs gave them opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Home learning had practical support too. In July 2024, staff sent activities home and maintained a book lending library, giving families books to share beyond the nursery day. Staff had also undertaken safe sleeping training and applied it to the sleeping arrangements.

The address is Goverseth Caravan Park, Foxhole, St. Austell, Cornwall PL26 7UR. Capacity is 15 children in total, rather than a promise about how many children share an activity.

In July 2024, opening hours were 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. At that time, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating details, useful as a starting point when considering attendance.

• Older children's group learning. In July 2024, some group activities did not help older children sustain attention or explore learning fully. During a visit, ask how these activities are organised now.
• Planning attendance. The July 2024 opening window covered weekdays across the year. What attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your child's age and your working week?

Sweet Hearts Childcare merits consideration by families drawn to a small overall setting and practical learning. The July 2024 examples give that appeal substance: growing plants, moving to music and taking responsibility for snack-time jobs. Families considering care for babies or older children have useful detail to weigh, with the organisation of older children's group activities the clearest point to explore.