Circle of Friends Day Nursery, Tile Hill

Imaginary tea parties and rainforest models shaped the February 2025 inspection picture of this Tile Hill nursery, alongside conversation, creative play and growing independence. At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective.

Circle of Friends Day Nursery, Tile Hill has capacity for 46 children, with a current age range of three months to five years. Its address is 347 Tile Hill Lane, Coventry, CV4 9DU.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning and care, with play helping children develop language, movement and independence. In February 2025, younger children explored sand and flour by pouring between containers, while older children constructed rainforest models from wood and play dough. These activities gave children practical ways to explore materials and develop ideas.

Conversation accompanied play. In February 2025, staff used pretend tea parties to help younger children pronounce words, while rainforest books introduced older children to new vocabulary. Outside, bikes and scooters supported active play; rolling pins and dough tools gave smaller hand muscles a workout. Babies practised rolling balls back to adults.

Planning in February 2025 began with children's existing skills and the next steps in their learning. Observations fed into planned activities and individual learning targets, connecting what staff noticed during play with what they offered next. This matters because an appealing activity needs a purpose beyond keeping children occupied. Staff had also undertaken training with a language toolkit to assess and support early communication. Alongside the tea-party conversations and rainforest vocabulary, this added an assessment method to the language work: identifying what a child could already do, then planning support around their development.

Mathematics needed more attention. In February 2025, staff sometimes missed chances to help children count the trees in their models accurately. Enjoyable activities did not consistently extend number understanding.

At the February 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that assessment informed children's next learning steps and that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, progressed well.

In February 2025, babies received cuddles and practised feeding themselves; younger children fetched their mealtime utensils. Older children recognised their names and marked their attendance, building practical independence before school.

Books about coloured monsters helped children discuss emotions that February, although quieter children sometimes needed more help to contribute their ideas. Parents also received updates about activities and learning, suggestions for supporting learning at home and advice on toilet training. This connected nursery routines with family life.

Everyday social learning was another part of the February 2025 picture. Staff helped children share resources and wait for a turn while playing together. When younger children managed to build brick towers, adults celebrated their success with applause. These are small interactions with practical value: sharing supports play with other children, while recognising an achievement gives a child a reason to try again. Alongside discussions about emotions, they show how personal development was woven into ordinary activities rather than confined to a separate lesson.

Handwashing and managing toileting were also practised in February 2025. These routines sit alongside collecting plates and cutlery and learning to feed oneself: children were taking on everyday tasks as well as joining creative play. For families supporting toilet training at home, the advice described above linked a specific nursery routine with a practical task outside nursery.

Management oversight in February 2025 included monitoring teaching and regular staff supervision. This placed staff development alongside the planning of children's learning, rather than treating training as an isolated event. The language-toolkit training was a concrete example of that work, directed towards assessing and supporting children's communication.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates throughout the year and closes on bank holidays, making its opening calendar relevant to families arranging care across working weeks.

In February 2025, funded early education was provided for babies and children aged two, three and four.

• Early mathematics. February 2025 findings identified missed opportunities to extend counting and other mathematical learning. Ask how staff now build number work into children's chosen play.
• Quieter children. In February 2025, less confident children did not consistently receive enough help to share their thinking. Discuss how group activities make space for a reluctant speaker.
• Attendance arrangements. The weekday opening window extends from 7.30am to 6.30pm. Which booking pattern would fit your family's working hours?

Circle of Friends Day Nursery, Tile Hill suits families seeking care from infancy through the preschool years, with weekday opening hours extending into the evening. Its February 2025 picture combines imaginative activities, conversational learning and practical independence. The two improvement priorities are useful decision points: how staff extend early mathematics and how they involve quieter children.