Mulberry Bush Ashbourne

Herbs grown in the garden became ingredients for play dough at Mulberry Bush Ashbourne in July 2022, linking outdoor exploration with conversation indoors. That small example captures the nursery's inspection-era emphasis on curiosity and relationships.

At its 28 July 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It has capacity for 117 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months.

In July 2022, children followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for learning, development and care: play, conversation and physical activity helped children practise skills and explore ideas. Personal, social and emotional development shaped the curriculum, while dens gave children spaces for imaginative play and conversation.

Garden activities carried learning indoors. In July 2022, toddlers explored the scent and texture of herbs they had planted, then encountered them again in play dough. Reusing the same materials gave children another opportunity to practise new vocabulary.

Older children also took part in group exercise in July 2022. Staff explained warming up and how movement helps the body, making physical activity an opportunity to learn about health.

In July 2022, babies developed relationships with their key person through close contact, gentle conversation and singing in the garden. Settling visits were adapted to individual children. Quiet areas and sleep arrangements followed children's own routines, rather than expecting everyone to rest together.

An online diary helped parents follow their child's activities in July 2022. Moves between rooms included preparation for independent toileting, while conversations with receiving teachers passed on information before children started school. Staff also supported children learning English as an additional language.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted identified two priorities: giving less-confident children more help to extend and use their vocabulary, and recognising emerging developmental difficulties sooner so support could begin promptly. These are useful subjects for a conversation about how staff track an individual child's development.

The address is 90-92 Belper Road, Ashbourne, DE6 1BD. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation apart from bank holidays and a week at Christmas.

In July 2022, a nursery cook prepared healthy meals on the premises. The nursery also offered funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time.

• Language confidence. July 2022 improvement priorities included more support for quieter children to practise vocabulary. Ask how practitioners encourage a child who is reluctant to speak.
• Early developmental support. Faster recognition of emerging difficulties was another July 2022 priority. Discuss how concerns are identified and followed through with parents.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm. Which booking patterns and funded arrangements would fit your family, and what would the written quotation include?

Mulberry Bush Ashbourne suits families seeking weekday childcare across the year. Its July 2022 examples give parents concrete points to weigh: individual settling, garden-based exploration and communication through an online diary. Language confidence and early identification of developmental needs deserve equal attention when assessing the fit for your child.