Cathedral View Childcare, Central

In April 2026, an outdoor kitchen, conversations supported by Makaton signs and visits to a local care home characterised children's experiences at Cathedral View Childcare, Central. This Market Street nursery in Ely accepts children from birth to five.

At its April 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged achievement and inclusion to be at the Strong standard, the remaining four areas at the Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. That is a differentiated assessment, rather than a single overall grade.

In April 2026, babies and toddlers explored paint, soil and sand, using chunky brushes and filling containers. Older children used bats and balls outdoors, counted during play and invented imaginary food in the outdoor kitchen. These examples connect movement, language and imagination to activities children choose themselves.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, play, conversation and practising everyday skills formed part of that learning. In April 2026, staff used books, maps and discussions to explore the wider world, including differences between families and cultures.

Makaton signing supported communication, alongside visual aids. Children practised new vocabulary and used signs to express themselves. April 2026 also brought examples of community involvement: children visited a local care home, while staff undertook fundraising and awareness challenges for organisations including the Lullaby Trust.

In April 2026, settling arrangements adapted to individual children, with parents sharing information about care and development. Key-person relationships gave children familiar adults to turn to, while babies could settle for sleep with familiar staff and their own comforters where appropriate. Home routines helped shape nursery care.

Support also involved parents and external agencies agreeing targeted strategies. Development tracking helped staff identify emerging learning gaps, giving those conversations a specific starting point rather than relying solely on general impressions.

Meals and snacks in April 2026 were balanced, with individual dietary needs accommodated; older children served their own meals as part of practising independence. A sand timer helped children wait for lunch, making an everyday routine an opportunity to practise patience.

The address is 72-74 Market Street, Ely, CB7 4LS. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas. For families organising work around childcare, those closures matter alongside the daily opening window.

• Consistency after building changes. At the April 2026 inspection, Ofsted identified the need to strengthen staff confidence and consistency in delivering the curriculum following layout changes, and to give children more responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe. These are concrete development priorities alongside the stronger achievement and inclusion judgements.
• Settling around home routines. April 2026 practice included personalised settling and familiar sleep support. Discuss how your child's routines would shape their settling plan.
• Attendance and costs. Which booking patterns and funded arrangements would fit your week, and what would the written quotation include for meals and consumables?

For families seeking an Ely nursery with communication support and community experiences, Cathedral View Childcare, Central merits consideration on the strength of its April 2026 practice. Its April 2026 assessment gives achievement and inclusion particular weight, while the curriculum-development priorities deserve equal attention. The weekday opening window is useful for working families; the settling arrangements described in April 2026 also give parents of younger children a concrete starting point for discussion.