Wyvern College Childcare

In February 2023, storytelling, children's choices and early climbing shaped daily life at Wyvern College Childcare. Based in the grounds of Wyvern College in Eastleigh, it has 157 places in total. That is whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of any child's group.

Ofsted rated the provision Good at its 27 February 2023 inspection. The account below describes practice and operating arrangements from February 2023.

In February 2023, stories reached children at different stages: younger children listened alongside staff, while older children used pictures to invent stories for one another. Children also chose nursery rhymes, giving even the youngest a say in their activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the February 2023 examples included conversation during play, new vocabulary and opportunities to solve problems independently. Staff helped children use letters and numbers to work out which way up a toy belonged, rather than immediately supplying the answer.

An interest in visiting a zoo became a classroom zoo-making activity, with children drawing animal footprints in the garden. Age-appropriate climbing frames gave very young children opportunities to practise movement with adult support. These examples show how interests and physical play shaped the day at that time.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made good progress, that SEND support met children's needs well, and that safeguarding arrangements were effective.

In February 2023, very young children sought cuddles from their key person. Staff had undertaken additional training to support children with SEND and worked together to help them participate throughout the provision. Parents valued communication with staff, providing a useful counterpart to the account of children's day.

Children practised taking turns and listening to one another. Older children brought toys from home and explained their significance to their peers, combining speaking opportunities with patience and attention.

The address is Wyvern College, Botley Road, Eastleigh, SO50 7AN.

In February 2023, the nursery opened on weekdays from 7.45am to 6pm across 51 weeks of the year. A separate preschool opened from 9am to 3pm during term time, while the out-of-school club opened on term-time weekdays from 3.30pm to 6pm. These were opening arrangements at that date.

The nursery received funding for two-, three- and four-year-olds in February 2023.

• Planning the next steps. In February 2023, some staff were still developing their understanding of the curriculum, leaving children's next learning steps insufficiently precise. Ask how practitioners now translate their observations into individual plans.
• Management oversight. In February 2023, staff supervision did not pinpoint support needs precisely enough. This matters because consistent teaching depends on managers identifying where practice needs attention.
• Suitability checks. In February 2023, information needed to complete the nominated individual's vetting had not reached Ofsted. The provider had checked suitability, and the individual had no unsupervised contact with children; the finding had no impact on children.

Wyvern College Childcare will appeal to families who value storytelling, children's choices and learning built around their interests. Its February 2023 arrangements served both families needing weekday nursery care and those seeking term-time preschool. The Good judgement provides a dated assessment; the curriculum-planning and supervision findings deserve equal weight when choosing.