Tots and Time Out Nursery

Tyres for balancing, houses made from recycled materials and autumn collections give Tots and Time Out Nursery an account of childhood built around doing things. Those examples belong to October 2022, rather than a description of today's daily programme. At its 3 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The Eastbourne setting has capacity for 23 children, with an age range of 0 to 132 months. Its strongest inspection examples concern independence, conversation and relationships, alongside two clear priorities for improving teaching.

In October 2022, children constructed obstacle courses and practised balancing and climbing using tyres. Putting on their own shoes and coats also gave them opportunities to tackle everyday tasks independently. These were practical ways to develop physical confidence and persistence.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together: play, conversation and everyday routines all contribute to a child's learning. In October 2022, mathematical ideas appeared in block play and ordinary conversation, while recycled materials became houses that prompted children to talk about their homes.

Language work was similarly concrete. In October 2022, a water-tray activity introduced vocabulary through the movement children could see. There was a limitation: adults sometimes moved on before children had enough thinking time. Work on naming emotions also needed more discussion of what those feelings meant, rather than stopping at the labels.

In October 2022, children turned to staff for affection and reassurance, and adults helped them understand changes between activities. Older children took responsibility for tidying before lunch. The combination gave routines a social purpose as well as a practical one.

Parent communication had useful substance in October 2022. Families received updates about learning and ideas to try at home; autumn bags encouraged children to gather leaves, sticks and acorns. Parents also had opportunities to take an emergency paediatric first-aid course.

Support in October 2022 included staff working with families and external services to plan help around individual developmental needs. Management used individual conversations and supervision to support practitioners, and arranged sign language training following staff requests.

The address is 32 - 34 Eshton Road, East Bourne, BN22 7ES. Opening hours are 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening and a Christmas closure. That opening window helps families judge whether the setting fits their working day.

In October 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Thinking time. In October 2022, adults sometimes allowed too little time for children to answer questions. On a visit, look at how practitioners pause and listen.
• Extending learning. The October 2022 improvement priorities included taking children's learning further. Ask how staff now develop a child's idea beyond the first answer or activity.

Tots and Time Out Nursery suits families who value practical independence, conversational learning and links between home and nursery. The October 2022 examples give that judgement substance, while the teaching priorities deserve attention. Its year-round opening window is a useful practical consideration for families balancing childcare with work.