Little JeM's Catholic Nursery

A science hut and a water wheel gave outdoor play a practical, experimental character in March 2024: children mixed potions, moved water and investigated how things worked. Little JeM's Catholic Nursery, in Felixstowe, combines that account of exploration with close relationships between children and their key people.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 20 March 2024, finding that children made good progress through a curriculum shaped around their interests and next steps. The nursery accepts children aged 24 to 60 months and has 27 places in total.

In March 2024, children could reach resources themselves and choose how to use them. That gave them a direct part in deciding their play. Activities connected what they already understood with something new to explore, indoors and in the garden.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, including learning through play across the areas of learning. In March 2024, the curriculum also drew on aspects of the curiosity approach, with accessible resources and opportunities for children to start their own games.

Outside, the science hut supplied pipettes and tubes for experimenting with water. A water wheel held children's attention as they poured and watched its mechanism. Sand games brought another kind of investigation: children predicted how colours would change when mixed. Large outdoor play equipment added physical activity to this account of hands-on learning.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported through a knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator and links with outside agencies.

During that month, children sought comfort from their key person and staff treated them respectfully. Makaton sign language was used to support communication, alongside conversations between adults and children. These were concrete ways of helping children express themselves and feel understood.

Relationships with families also formed part of the March 2024 account: staff knew children and their families, and maintained professional partnerships with parents. For families weighing a first nursery experience, that connection between home and the adults providing care matters.

The address is Convent Of Jesus & Mary, 63 Orwell Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7PP. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with closures at Christmas, Easter and bank holidays.

In March 2024, the nursery operated for 49 weeks of the year and provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Adult questioning. In March 2024, staff sometimes solved practical problems for children rather than encouraging them to work out an answer. During a visit, ask how adults now extend children's thinking during water play and outdoor activities.
• Mealtime transitions. In March 2024, preparation for snacks and meals sometimes drew staff away from keeping children engaged. Ask how the move from garden play to eating is organised now.
• Planning attendance. The weekday opening window runs from 8am to 5pm. What booking pattern and funded-hours arrangements would fit your child's attendance?

Little JeM's suits families seeking care for children aged 24 to 60 months who value practical exploration and relationships with a key person. Its March 2024 strengths included experimental garden play and communication support. Adult questioning and the organisation around eating deserve attention when assessing how the nursery works today.