Winshill Childcare

In September 2024, Winshill Childcare combined converted-house premises with daily outdoor play and an emphasis on conversation. At that inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. The nursery has 32 places in total.

In September 2024, children attending were aged 0 to 5. The strongest practical questions concern how planned activities hold children's attention and how mealtimes encourage healthy choices and independence.

In September 2024, the nursery occupied two floors of a converted house. Its early years foundation stage framework connects children's learning, development and care; here, conversation during play and shared stories gave children opportunities to build language.

Staff named objects, asked questions and discussed pictures and story characters. This brought communication into ordinary play rather than reserving it for a separate activity. However, some planned tasks failed to capture children's interest, and children turned to other toys instead. Planning needed to make those learning opportunities more engaging.

Outdoor play happened daily in September 2024. Wheeled vehicles encouraged movement, while stacking rings gave children opportunities to cooperate and practise taking turns. Indoors, songs with actions added another way to move and participate.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support through collaboration with families and external agencies, including funded individual support where children were entitled to it. That links additional help to a child's needs rather than a general promise of support.

In September 2024, staff comforted unsettled babies, and familiar songs helped children participate in morning and afternoon routines. Daily communication with families was also part of the nursery's practice.

Mealtimes needed attention. In September 2024, children brought lunch from home, but staff needed to do more to encourage healthier food choices. Some children who could use a table were seated in strapped chairs with lap trays, limiting opportunities to learn the social habits of eating alongside friends.

The address is 46 Melbourne Avenue, Burton-On-Trent, DE15 0EW. In September 2024, opening hours were 7am to 5.30pm on weekdays, across the year except public holidays. These were opening hours, rather than a timed booking pattern.

In September 2024, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation fact, rather than a promise of an individual funded place.

• Lunch habits. Healthy eating was an improvement priority in September 2024. Ask how the nursery now helps families choose lunchbox food.
• Mealtime independence. Seating arrangements limited some children's independence in September 2024. A visit should explore how children progress to eating together at a table.
• Engaging activities. Planned learning did not consistently attract children's interest in September 2024. Ask for examples of how activities are adapted when children choose something else.

Winshill Childcare merits consideration for families who value conversation, shared books and outdoor movement. Its September 2024 practice gives those priorities concrete substance. Families placing particular weight on healthy eating and independent mealtimes should make progress on those improvement points central to their decision.