The Long Garden Early Years Centre

Bug hunts, magnifying glasses and children helping friends tackle the garden logs give The Long Garden Early Years Centre its character in September 2022. Outdoor exploration and cooperation stand out in that account of daily life. At its September 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes.

The centre is on Hurdon Road in Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 9JR, and has capacity for 30 children. Children attending in September 2022 were aged 1 to 4; that age range describes the children at that time.

The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care: it brings education and everyday care together. In September 2022, children chose activities according to their interests, while staff used conversation, stories and songs to extend their learning.

The garden was an important learning space in September 2022. Children practised balancing and climbing, searched for insects and examined their discoveries with magnifying glasses; books helped them explore the natural world further. Younger children also played with a small-world doll's house, giving staff opportunities to introduce vocabulary through play.

Counting needed more attention in September 2022. Staff developed children's language during activities, but sometimes missed opportunities to introduce numbers, including counting insects or coins. This is a useful distinction for parents: engaging play also needs deliberate mathematical teaching.

In September 2022, familiar staff comforted upset children, allowing them time to regain confidence before exploring. Visual aids supported language development, and home languages were recognised alongside visits from community members to introduce festivals and celebrations. These were concrete ways of responding to children's different experiences.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and recognised that additional funding supported curriculum access and progress for disadvantaged children and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Communication with parents was effective in September 2022, and staff received supervision and training. Preparation for school included inviting teachers to meet older children at the nursery, helping those children become familiar with adults involved in their next stage.

In September 2022, opening hours were 8am to 4pm on weekdays, during term time. These were opening hours rather than a stated session timetable.

Funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children was provided in September 2022. This describes the funding offer at that date.

• Counting through play. September 2022 identified missed opportunities to develop number skills. During a visit, explore how staff now build counting into activities such as bug hunts.
• Attendance pattern. The September 2022 opening pattern was weekdays during term time. What sessions and holiday arrangements would fit your family's current routine?
• Outdoor emphasis. In September 2022, climbing, balancing and insect exploration were integral to learning. Consider whether that emphasis matches the experiences your child enjoys.

The September 2022 picture suits families who value outdoor exploration, language-rich play and children learning to cooperate. Familiar adults and preparation for school added practical substance to the care described then. The improvement priority was equally concrete: give counting and numbers more attention within those engaging activities.