Treasure Chest Day Nursery

At the February 2023 inspection, shared den-building, discoveries about shadows and picture-based communication characterised Treasure Chest Day Nursery's provision. The strongest detail is how staff adapted play and communication to individual children, rather than expecting everyone to participate in the same way.

At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made good progress. Those findings provide a dated assessment of care and learning.

Based in Saltfleet, the nursery has 20 places in total and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its inspection-era examples included learning through shared play, stories and conversation.

In February 2023, children worked together on a den and explored shadows made by their bodies. Staff developed these interests into further learning. That gave children opportunities to exchange ideas as well as investigate what they noticed.

Books offered different ways into conversation. In February 2023, younger children used story props to make choices, while older children discussed illustrations with friends; staff encouraged children to anticipate what would happen in familiar stories. Community outings also helped children learn about their surroundings and other people.

In February 2023, each child's key person knew them closely, and staff celebrated practical achievements such as independently fastening a coat. Daily exchanges with parents helped connect nursery experiences with home.

The Picture Exchange Communication System was used in February 2023 to help children with SEND communicate their choice of play. Staff also involved other professionals. This was a concrete communication mechanism, rather than simply an expectation that children explain themselves verbally.

Food and health needed more attention. In February 2023, children brought packed lunches and staff supplied healthy snacks, but work with parents on diet and oral health was inconsistent; babies and children often drank juice from feeding bottles. Teaching children about online safety, and sharing guidance with families, also needed development.

The address is Saltfleet Sports and Social Field Clubhouse, Louth Road, Saltfleet, LN11 7SB. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and the Christmas period.

In February 2023, session times ran from 8am to 5pm and the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated arrangements, separate from the current opening hours.

• Healthy habits. The February 2023 findings highlighted inconsistent support for healthy eating and oral health. Ask how staff now work with families on lunch choices, drinks and tooth care.
• Digital safety. In February 2023, children used digital devices with adults, but teaching about online safety needed development. Ask what children and parents now learn about safe use.
• Attendance and costs. For care across the year at Saltfleet, ask which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your needs, and request a written quotation covering food and consumables.

Treasure Chest suits families seeking a small-capacity nursery in Saltfleet. For those who value individual communication and shared play, its February 2023 assessment recorded strengths in both, with specific improvements required in health education and online safety. The picture-based communication work observed in February 2023 is an especially useful detail for families considering how their child expresses choices.