The Tot Stop Early Years Centre

Flour play for babies and climbing apparatus for older children give The Tot Stop Early Years Centre a practical, hands-on character in its April 2023 account. Based on Skerne Road in Driffield, it has capacity for 45 children and accepts ages from birth to eight years.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 18 April 2023. The strongest detail concerns language, physical exploration and growing independence, with early mathematics and the evaluation of teaching identified as areas needing more attention.

In April 2023, babies experimented with flour using brushes and spoons, while toddlers practised balance and climbing on wooden apparatus indoors. Preschool children tackled outdoor apparatus. These examples show physical learning taking different forms across the age groups.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2023 examples included stories, songs, sensory exploration and opportunities to manage everyday tasks independently.

During that month, preschool children recognised their names and joined familiar songs, while staff responded to requests for stories. Children also explored worm lengths and used a tape measure, but opportunities to practise counting were sometimes missed. The improvement priority was to develop early mathematical understanding more deliberately.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported, with professional collaboration, shared support plans and progress towards individual targets. Those findings belong to that visit.

In April 2023, babies and toddlers sought comfort from staff, and everyday routines encouraged independence: toddlers put on shoes, while preschool children served their drinks and cleared plates. These small tasks gave children opportunities to practise managing for themselves.

Parent communication in April 2023 included discussions about development and an app containing activities for home. Staff training and monthly team meetings also took place, although supervision needed sharper evaluation of how teaching affected children's learning.

The address is Skerne Road, Driffield, YO25 6PN. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holidays closed.

In April 2023, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a statement about today's funding arrangements.

• Early mathematics. In April 2023, counting opportunities were sometimes missed. On a visit, ask how number work is now built into play and routines.
• Teaching development. April 2023 supervision needed a clearer assessment of teaching and its effect on learning. Ask how staff feedback now leads to changes in practice.
• Attendance and costs. The nursery opens across the year and closes on bank holidays. What booking pattern and written quotation would cover your child's hours, meals and consumables?

The Tot Stop suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare, with an April 2023 account that gives concrete examples of physical play, language activities and everyday independence. Its Good judgement provides a useful starting point. The key decision is how its present practice addresses the two teaching priorities, alongside whether the attendance arrangement fits family life.