Dragonflies Early Years

Acorns, real tools and children choosing their own rhyme give Dragonflies Early Years a practical, child-led character in its September 2022 snapshot. At its 16 September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 34 children at Bursledon School Campus, Long Lane, Bursledon, SO31 8BZ.

The children attending in September 2022 were aged two to four. That dated picture centres on independence, conversation and learning through children's interests.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the September 2022 examples show play and conversation turning everyday discoveries into learning. Collecting acorns in the garden prompted discussion about squirrels and trees. Staff used questions to extend children's thinking rather than simply supplying answers.

In September 2022, children also practised using real tools with wood, including hammering and screwing. Staff adjusted the activity so younger children could participate, giving them an opportunity to try practical skills alongside older children. Choosing a rhyme by voting introduced another kind of learning: children experienced how a shared decision is made.

In September 2022, relationships between children and staff were friendly, and children invited adults into their games. Ball games involved taking turns, while older children showed consideration towards younger ones. Independence had concrete expression too: children practised putting on shoes and younger children used a mirror to help them wipe their noses.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs coordinator worked with families and other professionals, with speech boxes helping children practise sounds, but progress reviews for children with SEND needed to happen more promptly to make support more precise.

Communication was the other improvement priority in September 2022. Parents did not understand their children's individual learning targets well enough to continue that work at home. For families, that makes the connection between nursery activities and home learning a material consideration.

Dragonflies Early Years is at Bursledon School Campus, Long Lane, Bursledon, SO31 8BZ. In September 2022, opening hours were 8.45am to 3.15pm on weekdays, during term time. Those hours describe the nursery at that date.

• Progress reviews for SEND. September 2022 reviews were not timely enough to give staff a precise account of children's achievements. Regular, useful reviews matter for targeting individual support.
• Learning shared with families. In September 2022, parents lacked a clear understanding of individual learning targets. That limited their ability to reinforce the same learning at home.
• Attendance planning. The September 2022 pattern was weekday, term-time opening. Which current attendance arrangements would fit your family's week?

Dragonflies suits families drawn to practical exploration and growing independence, judged on its September 2022 picture. Acorn conversations, tool use and voting gave children active roles in their learning. The Good judgement provides a dated quality benchmark; clearer progress reviews for SEND and stronger sharing of learning targets with parents are the important qualifications.