Tiddley Tots Day Care

Balance bikes, woodland stories and babies learning to manage their own coats give Tiddley Tots Day Care a recognisable character in its January 2023 snapshot. At its 6 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found that children developed their communication successfully, with staff responding closely to babies’ sounds and gestures.

Based in Sutton, the setting has 20 places in total. Children attending in January 2023 were aged 0 to 4; that age range describes the inspection period.

In January 2023, the open-plan layout was complemented by a garden with a dedicated area for babies. Children rode balance bikes and examined wildlife using homemade binoculars. The outdoor space gave movement and observation a place alongside indoor activities.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the January 2023 examples included practical independence, conversation, stories and mathematics through play: children used connecting cubes and a picture prompt to work out how to represent a number.

Regular library outings and woodland walks brought stories into different surroundings during that period. Babies practised dressing for outdoor play, while older children prepared drinks and cleaned their crockery. Everyday tasks became opportunities to take responsibility.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with SEND, could access early education, with close staff relationships helping children seek comfort and reassurance.

In January 2023, safeguarding practice included risk assessments, staff training and discussion of scenarios at team meetings. A special educational needs coordinator also discussed support during the visit.

Communication then combined daily conversations with photographs and written developmental updates through an online system. Those routes gave parents both immediate news and a continuing account of their child’s development, although advice about extending learning at home needed to become more consistent.

The address is 62a High Street, Sutton, Ely, CB6 2RA. The whole-setting capacity of 20 places is separate from the number of children attending any particular day or activity.

In January 2023, the nursery offered full-day sessions from 8am to 5pm on weekdays throughout the year and provided funded early education to three- and four-year-olds. These are dated arrangements rather than a description of today’s booking offer.

• Creative freedom. In January 2023, an adult-directed painting task interrupted children’s interest in combining colours. Ask how children now get time to experiment and follow their own ideas.
• Learning beyond nursery. More consistent guidance for parents was an improvement priority in January 2023. A useful visit question is how staff turn developmental updates into practical activities for home.
• Attendance planning. The January 2023 arrangements were year-round weekday care with funded provision for three- and four-year-olds. Which current booking patterns and funding arrangements would fit your family?

Tiddley Tots suits families who value practical independence, outdoor exploration and close communication with staff. Its January 2023 examples give that judgement substance. Creative experimentation and useful guidance for learning at home are the two areas to explore when assessing how the nursery works now.