Hinckley Road Nursery

A fire pit, a rope swing and an allotment gave Hinckley Road Nursery’s July 2022 experience a practical, outdoor character. Children could test their judgement, grow food and connect learning with everyday tasks. At its 13 July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found that children made exceptional progress.

On Dorchester Way in Coventry, the nursery has 44 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months. Its opening hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time.

In July 2022, learning combined children’s interests with the skills they needed to develop. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children’s learning, development and care: education and everyday routines belong together, rather than being separate parts of the day.

During that July 2022 snapshot, children could choose whether to join adult-led activities. Singing, stories and conversations introduced vocabulary; rhymes, letters and the structure of stories developed literacy. Some children also used a reading book scheme. This gave learning several entry points, from listening together to practising reading.

Outside in July 2022, forest school activities involved practical challenges, including a fire pit and rope swing. Children dressed themselves in outdoor clothing for the mud kitchen. Shopping for cooking ingredients and caring for nursery pets connected responsibility with real tasks, while harvesting the allotment let children taste produce and share it with their families.

In July 2022, settling involved building relationships between families and key persons. Staff knew children well and approached personal care sensitively. Handwashing, toothbrushing and using cutlery were familiar routines, giving children opportunities to practise independence throughout the day.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with individual learning plans and professional collaboration helping children make rapid progress. In July 2022, staff discussed possible developmental delays with parents promptly and kept families informed about learning; managers also shared advice.

The July 2022 building arrangements included external locks and keypad entry. Staff checked risks, followed procedures for visitors and managed allergies and dietary needs carefully. These are dated observations of how care operated at that time.

The address is Dorchester Way, Coventry, CV2 2NB. Opening follows the school-term calendar, with closure during school holidays, so holiday care needs a separate plan.

In July 2022, the nursery occupied a purpose-built unit within the grounds of Pearl Hyde Primary School in Wyken. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

In July 2022, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That describes the offer at the time of the inspection.

• School-holiday cover. The nursery closes during school holidays. Families needing childcare throughout the year should plan around those breaks.
• Outdoor learning today. The July 2022 experience included the fire pit, rope swing and allotment. At a visit, ask how these activities fit into children’s current week.

Hinckley Road Nursery suits families whose childcare needs fit term-time opening and the 8.30am to 3.30pm window. Its July 2022 account gives concrete reasons for interest: practical outdoor learning, independence in everyday care and close communication with families. The Outstanding judgement belongs to that dated inspection.