Stoborough Nursery

A wooden pirate ship and play built around children's curiosity give Stoborough Nursery's March 2022 nursery day its character. Pretend play, animal stories and conversations about a nearby castle connected imagination with the world around the children.

At its 8 March 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Stoborough Nursery has capacity for 20 children aged 24 to 60 months, on Corfe Road in Stoborough, near Wareham.

In March 2022, the playroom had been rearranged into calmer spaces for different activities. Children shaped play dough into pretend food and cared for dolls, giving them opportunities to practise hand movements and develop imaginative stories. Their pretend meals included peas and chips, while doll play involved rocking and feeding. These were recognisable everyday experiences children could reinterpret for themselves. The dough also gave them something to press, flatten and shape, bringing physical exploration into their imaginary cooking. Changes to the playroom supported this activity: children explored the rearranged spaces with interest and became involved in the play on offer.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play providing opportunities to communicate, explore and develop independence. In March 2022, animal stories prompted children to discuss stripes, tails and habitats, while conversations about a local castle introduced turrets and their purpose. Children contributed facts about lions living in hot countries and cheetahs moving quickly, rather than simply listening to the story. Joining in with a lion's roar added another way to participate. Discussion of the nearby bridge and castle brought the local area into their learning, with children considering how a castle could protect people. Familiar surroundings became subjects for conversation and investigation.

Outdoor play had a substantial physical feature: children climbed a large wooden pirate ship, practising balance and movement. In March 2022, they used the garden regularly, but staff needed to make better use of its resources for children who preferred learning outside. Daily routines also sometimes cut short children's chosen play, including when it was time to tidy up or change nappies.

In March 2022, staff spoke calmly to children and acknowledged considerate behaviour. Children shared toys and made room for friends during group activities. Action songs encouraged movement, and conversations about toothbrushing linked everyday habits with health. At circle time, a child could find space beside a friend because children made room themselves, rather than waiting for an adult's instruction. That gives a concrete example of consideration in shared play. Health discussions included foods that support strong teeth, alongside keeping teeth clean; movement games involved the children's arms, legs and fingers as well as their whole bodies.

At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff used additional funding effectively to support individual learning needs, buying resources such as drawing tools and information books linked to children's interests. This made support concrete, rather than leaving it as a general intention.

In March 2022, staff continued their training, including work on assessing development and tracking children's learning. The manager supported practitioners in their roles, and the team reviewed its practice, with the playroom rearrangement providing a practical example. For parents, these details connect staff development with the organisation of children's day: assessment, resources and the spaces used for play were all part of that work.

Stoborough Nursery's address is Corfe Road, Stoborough, Nr Wareham, BH20 5AD. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays.

In March 2022, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged three and four. It operated within the grounds of Stoborough First School, and staff worked with the adjoining school on the move to Reception. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Outdoor learning. In March 2022, garden resources needed more purposeful use for children who learnt best outside. On a visit, ask how practitioners now extend those children's play.
• Time to finish playing. March 2022 routines sometimes interrupted children's activities. Ask how children receive warning before changes and have time to complete their ideas.
• Term-time calendar. School-holiday closure makes the nursery a fit for families whose childcare needs follow the term calendar. Families needing holiday care will need a separate arrangement.

Stoborough Nursery suits families seeking term-time childcare for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its March 2022 picture combines imaginative play, conversation and a garden with physical challenge. The balance to examine is how outdoor learning and transitions between activities work in the nursery day now.