Imagine...Creative Early Years Nursey

In October 2024, projectors, light boxes and materials children could use in different ways gave Imagine...Creative Early Years Nursey its creative character. At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding, finding exceptional progress and teaching of a very high standard.

Based at Wyken Community Centre in Coventry, it has 30 places in total. In October 2024, children attending ranged from 0 to 4 years old. The strongest thread in that snapshot was time: children could explore an idea, revisit their work and develop it further rather than move quickly to the next activity.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning and care, bringing development and education into everyday play. In October 2024, the curriculum centred on what children could discover through materials. Projectors and light boxes supported exploration of light, darkness and different material properties.

A piece of rubber could become a building or a road. Babies tested how lifting tubing changed the movement of cars through it. These were practical opportunities to test ideas, with staff extending projects so children could return to them.

Outdoors, that October, uneven ground and equipment at different heights gave children opportunities to practise balancing and jumping. Planting areas supported learning about growth, while encounters with small creatures prompted children to make things for them. Exploration extended beyond the indoor materials.

At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities making rapid progress, with developmental concerns recognised early and outside support arranged promptly.

In October 2024, staff explained personal-care actions to babies before carrying them out, including wiping their faces. Older children practised waiting for a turn in play and allowing others to contribute to stories. Respect was taught through ordinary interactions.

Settling sessions were tailored to individual children that October, and staff worked with parents to keep support consistent between home and nursery. Advice from other professionals informed support for children with additional needs. Staff development also received close attention through mentoring and supervision, while leaders reviewed the environment and experiences as children's needs changed.

The address is Wyken Community Centre, Westmorland Road, Coventry CV2 5BP.

In October 2024, the nursery operated throughout the year on weekdays, with sessions running from 8am to 5.30pm. Government-funded education was offered at that time.

• Attendance arrangements. The October 2024 operating window ran from 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays. Which current booking patterns and hours would fit your family's routine?
• Learning through materials. The October 2024 examples included light boxes, tubing and reusable materials. This approach merits attention if you value children experimenting and developing their own ideas.
• Individual settling. Settling sessions were adapted to children's needs in October 2024. For a child making their first move into nursery care, that individual approach is a useful point to discuss during a visit.

The October 2024 picture suits families who value exploratory play, sustained projects and personal care shaped around the child. Its creative identity rests on concrete examples, from light boxes indoors to planting outdoors. The Outstanding judgement gives that dated account weight; the individual approach to settling adds practical relevance for younger children.