Yewkids Nursery at Yewdale Community Centre

A take-home book library and daily emotional check-ins give Yewkids’ May 2022 account its character: learning extended into family routines, while children had time to talk about their feelings. At its 13 May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, judged safeguarding effective and found outstanding support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Based at Yewdale Community Centre in Carlisle, the nursery has capacity for 26 children aged 24 to 48 months. It opens during term time, making the school-holiday calendar an important part of the choice.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday skills into their education. In May 2022, staff developed learning through children’s interests: dinosaur conversations introduced vocabulary about prehistoric life, while water play with shells, rocks and sea creatures explored why objects float or sink. These were practical ways to build language and understanding together.

Crates and planks became a pretend rescue boat in May 2022. Older children explored rhythm through the syllables in their names, and imaginative rocket play involved counting backwards. Football also became a teaching opportunity, with adults helping children develop ball control. The physical materials mattered: children could build, experiment and act out ideas rather than only talk about them.

In May 2022, the bath, book and bed library let children borrow books for home, connecting reading with bedtime routines. Workshops covered speech and language alongside preparation for school, giving parents practical ways to continue learning beyond nursery.

In May 2022, mini-me well-being check-in sessions ran daily, giving children time to talk about emotions. Yoga added movement and breathing exercises, including poses that practised balance. A personalised virtual tour also helped children become familiar with nursery before starting.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that individual support, sensory resources and early intervention helped children with SEND make rapid progress. This finding gives the support described a clear purpose: addressing children’s needs promptly and helping them participate in learning.

Yewkids is at Yewdale Community Centre, Hutton Way, Carlisle, CA2 7TH. Opening hours are 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; it closes for school holidays. That calendar suits families seeking care within the school term, but requires a separate plan for holiday weeks.

In May 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Term-time calendar. School holidays are closure periods. Families needing care across the year will need to plan around them.
• Settling and emotional support. The May 2022 approach combined a personalised virtual tour with mini-me well-being check-in sessions held daily. On a visit, ask how these arrangements work for a child starting now.

Yewkids suits families with children aged 24 to 48 months who want term-time care and value learning through conversation, imaginative play and practical activity. Its May 2022 account offers concrete examples of emotional support and partnership with parents. The closure calendar deserves equal weight in the decision.