Little Scholars Community Nursery

Sand play, tower-building and conversations about feelings give Little Scholars Community Nursery a practical, play-led character in its April 2024 account. Everyday activities carry the learning: filling buckets introduces mathematical language, while building upwards exercises hands and wrists.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 30 April 2024. Based at Broadway Hall in Burton On Trent, it accepts children from 2 months to 5 years and has 68 places in total.

In April 2024, activities grew from children's interests and existing skills. Speech and language received particular attention, with staff using questions that invited children to explain their ideas rather than give a short answer. That makes conversation part of play.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the April 2024 examples included learning through construction, physical play and exploration. Children used building blocks to make taller towers and practised words about weight and quantity in the sandpits. A climbing frame and slide gave them opportunities to practise movement, with encouragement from staff.

Children could choose their activities indoors and outside in April 2024. The freedom to follow an interest was a strength of the daily routine, although moving back from outdoor play needed better organisation.

At the April 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support good, with early assessments, referrals and work involving external agencies. These are useful mechanisms for families whose children need additional help.

In April 2024, staff comforted upset children before discussing feelings and sharing. The sequence matters: children had time to settle emotionally before thinking about what to do differently. Younger children also practised washing and drying their hands, building independence through ordinary care routines.

Freshly prepared, nutritious meals were part of the April 2024 day, alongside outdoor exercise and developing oral-health activities. School preparation included role play with uniforms and school logos, helping preschool children become familiar with aspects of their next setting.

The address is Broadway Hall, Broadway Street, Burton On Trent, DE14 3ND. Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In April 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation should be kept separate from a family's current funding arrangements.

• Transitions after outdoor play. In April 2024, returning indoors could take too long and leave some children, especially those with SEND, unsettled. Ask how staff now explain and organise this change of activity.
• Your attendance and funding plan. The weekday opening window extends into the early evening, while funded provision was recorded in April 2024. Discuss the booking pattern, current funding terms and written quotation together, including how meals and consumables are handled.

Little Scholars suits families seeking year-round weekday care and a nursery day built around play, conversation and growing independence. Its April 2024 examples give that character substance. The key reservation is the organisation of transitions, especially for children who need clearer routines.