Sunshine Day Nursery

Growing food, preparing snacks and experimenting with water gave Sunshine Day Nursery's March 2022 day a practical character. Children had opportunities to do things for themselves, from choosing their play to cutting apples. Those small tasks made independence part of ordinary nursery life.

At its March 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress for children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities. Sunshine Day Nursery has capacity for 53 children in Burton-on-Trent. The children attending in March 2022 were aged 0 to 4.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play supports learning alongside activities guided by adults. In March 2022, children chose how to use paint and brushes, practised pouring water and explored toys with lights and music. These experiences gave them opportunities to practise coordination and investigate what materials could do.

An outdoor classroom extended that exploration. In March 2022, children grew and harvested vegetables and fruit, connecting food with the process of growing it. Pretend play, skittles and circle games brought imagination and movement into the day. Children also explored different cultures and the languages spoken around them.

The March 2022 inspection identified two teaching priorities: giving children more opportunity to work through problems and express ideas, and helping quieter children participate in group activities. These matter because joining a group and thinking independently require different kinds of adult support.

In March 2022, children formed close relationships with their key person, while staff gathered information from families before children started. Babies received comforting cuddles and encouragement to explore musical instruments. Familiar adults and knowledge of home life helped shape settling arrangements.

Communication in March 2022 included daily conversations, an online learning journal and videos shared in real time. Families could follow both activities and children's next learning steps. Conversations, songs and stories supported language learning, including for children learning English alongside another language.

Home-cooked snacks and meals were provided in March 2022, and older children helped prepare snacks themselves. Handwashing before food linked practical independence with healthy routines.

Teachers from children's next schools visited the nursery in March 2022. Meeting them in a familiar setting helped prepare children for the change.

The address is Sunshine Day Nursery, 229 Branston Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 3BT.

In March 2022, the nursery operated throughout the year, Monday to Friday, with session times of 8am to 4pm. It provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children at that time. These are dated attendance arrangements rather than a current booking recommendation.

• Thinking time. In March 2022, adults sometimes moved learning along before children could test their own ideas. Look for opportunities to explain, experiment and solve a problem independently.
• Quieter children. Group participation was a March 2022 improvement priority. During a visit, ask how staff help a less-confident child contribute, and how current sessions and funded attendance would fit your family.

Sunshine's March 2022 picture suits families who value practical play, relationships with familiar adults and regular communication about learning. Food preparation and growing activities gave children tangible responsibilities. The balance to weigh is the support for quieter children and the space adults give children to develop their own ideas.