Mother Goose Day Nursery

Jelly pushed through a colander and large materials turned into a tractor give a concrete picture of learning at Mother Goose Day Nursery in September 2021: children explored, experimented and tried things for themselves. Everyday tasks mattered too, from using a fork to helping after snack.

At its September 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The Carlisle setting has capacity for 45 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months. The inspection judgement is dated; it should be read alongside the specific strengths and improvement points below.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing everyday play and practical skills into their education.

In September 2021, babies investigated jelly and tried to reproduce the effects staff demonstrated with a colander. Older children assembled a tractor from large materials and used words about size while building. These examples connected physical exploration with language, rather than treating learning as a separate activity.

Transport interests also shaped the September 2021 activities. Staff introduced books about vehicles and explained what different trucks did, extending children's vocabulary through something they already enjoyed. Information from home influenced activities too: an interest in construction led to children using a hammer and screwdriver to break ice.

In September 2021, children had time to develop a bond with a practitioner before their key person was allocated. That sequence gave the relationship a chance to form before responsibility was formally assigned.

At the September 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that cooperation with parents and other professionals helped children receive early support, with additional funding used effectively to address learning gaps. In September 2021, welcome sessions helped children practise listening, waiting and taking turns with others.

Care also included practical precautions in September 2021. An upgraded entry system helped staff monitor visitors, while illness procedures addressed infection risks. Children helped wash dishes after snack and received reminders about handling plates carefully, although explanations of why precautions mattered needed greater consistency.

The address is 76 Wigton Road, Carlisle, CA2 7AY. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year except bank holidays.

In September 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That describes its offer at the time of the inspection.

• Teaching development. In September 2021, plans to deepen staff understanding of the curriculum were at an early stage. Embedding that development was an improvement priority, relevant to the consistency of children's learning experiences.
• Understanding everyday risks. In September 2021, staff gave safety reminders but did not consistently explain the reasons behind them. Helping children understand why a spill needs clearing was part of the next step.
• Planning attendance. The weekday opening window ends at 5.30pm. At a visit, what booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your child's attendance?

Mother Goose Day Nursery merits consideration from families seeking weekday care for babies through preschool age who value practical, interest-led learning. Its September 2021 examples give substance to that appeal: relationships developed before key-person allocation, and children's interests shaped activities. The dated improvement priorities remain useful topics when assessing how teaching and everyday safety explanations work now.