Partou St Mary's Day Nursery & Pre-school

Story puppets, homemade play dough and child-designed obstacle courses give the February 2022 picture of St Mary's its character: learning through things children could handle, imagine and try for themselves. This Doncaster nursery has capacity for 149 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months.

At its February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, although subsequent regulatory action makes that dated judgement only part of the picture. Repeated safeguarding and supervision issues deserve close attention when choosing this setting.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning and care, bringing together play, communication, physical development and preparation for their next stage.

In February 2022, puppets and bear-hunt role play accompanied stories, while children also invented stories of their own. Staff recorded readings for families to enjoy at home. Books therefore connected nursery activities with time spent learning together beyond nursery.

Physical play had different forms at different ages in February 2022. Babies practised moving and pulling themselves upright using resources indoors and outside; older children devised obstacle courses and gave each other movement instructions. Homemade scented dough, marks in sand and pretend menus offered smaller-scale practice with hands and fingers. These activities linked movement with the coordination needed for writing.

Language was the improvement priority in February 2022. Children encountered words through animal sounds and magnet play, but staff sometimes moved on before children could answer or explain their thinking. The practical issue was the quality of conversation, rather than simply the number of activities.

In February 2022, staff gathered children's interests, routines and needs from parents to shape their activities. Communication included detailed exchanges with families during pandemic restrictions. Dental-care activities used model teeth and large toothbrushes, making an everyday health routine something children could explore through play.

Ofsted's July 2025 regulatory outcome confirmed that safeguarding and welfare actions had been met following shortcomings involving safeguarding knowledge, supervision, risk management, outdoor conditions, drinking water, records and communication with parents. The response included refreshed safeguarding knowledge, scenario-based risk training, improved records and arrangements for staff supervision.

This followed action in July 2022 concerning outdoor hygiene, staff deployment and access to water, with completion confirmed in August 2022. Further safeguarding training and an internal investigation were recorded in June 2024; September 2024 action addressed supervision, child-protection reporting and information sharing, with the required actions subsequently met that month. The repetition matters even though the completed actions have recorded outcomes.

The address is 65 Bawtry Road, Doncaster, DN4 7AD. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In February 2022, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about a family's present entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Repeated welfare action. The July 2025 actions followed safeguarding and supervision interventions in 2022 and 2024. At a visit, ask how leaders maintain supervision, monitor staff practice and keep parents informed about accidents and concerns.
• Conversation and language. February 2022's improvement priority concerned giving children time to answer and explain. Ask staff to demonstrate how they extend conversation during play today.
• Your child's attendance and costs. With a weekday opening window from 7.30am to 6pm, ask for a written attendance quotation that separates childcare, funded hours, meals and non-food consumables.

St Mary's merits consideration for families needing weekday childcare across the year, from infancy through the preschool years. Its February 2022 activities provide useful examples of practical learning, but the repeated later welfare interventions are central to the decision. A choice should rest on convincing explanations of how those improvements are sustained in daily care.