Big Dreams Nursery

Speech and language support gives Big Dreams Nursery its clearest character. At its 21 October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with special educational needs and disabilities very good, with an on-site speech and language therapist helping children whose speech was delayed.

Based at Cox Lane Community Centre in Ewell, the nursery has capacity for 55 children aged 6 to 60 months. The strongest inspection examples concern individual support and children's participation; outdoor learning and the execution of planned activities needed more attention.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the October 2024 examples included babies investigating pumpkins and leaves, toddlers singing with accompanying movements, and older children making crafts: play provided different ways to explore, communicate and practise skills.

In October 2024, preschool children used their children's council to influence which resources were chosen for the rooms and garden. That gave children's preferences a practical role in nursery decisions. Experiences beyond the building included splashing in a nearby stream, walking to an adventure farm park and travelling by bus to pick fruit; fire fighters also visited.

Activities could look inviting yet lose their purpose. In October 2024, staff sometimes failed to carry through their intended learning, leaving some children less engaged. Outdoor activities also needed clearer planning and more opportunities for exercise and fresh air. These are substantive limitations for families who value purposeful play outside.

In October 2024, babies received gentle reassurance when tired, while older children had a quiet area where they could settle their emotions. These were concrete ways of responding to different needs rather than expecting every child to manage the same busy day.

A teacher for the deaf advised staff about hearing impairments, and staff were learning British sign language in October 2024. Animal therapy sessions included handling chameleons and guinea pigs. Work with parents and external professionals brought targeted support into the nursery itself.

Practical resources and shared sessions supported parents. In October 2024, families could borrow from a lending library and join stay and play sessions; themed support bags addressed changes at home, including a new sibling or first pet. Meals were nutritious, with reminders about handwashing and drinking water throughout the day.

The address is Cox Lane Community Centre, Cox Lane, Ewell, KT19 9PS. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year.

In October 2024, the nursery provided government-funded early education for children from nine months to four years. That dated provision should be distinguished from a family's individual funding entitlement.

• Outdoor learning. October 2024 findings called for better outdoor planning and more time for fresh air and exercise. On a visit, ask how garden activities now connect with children's learning.
• Activity follow-through. Some activities lost children's engagement in October 2024 because staff did not deliver their intended learning. Ask for a recent example of how practitioners sustain and extend an activity.
• Planning attendance. The opening window runs from 8am to 6pm. What booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child, including meals and consumables?

Big Dreams Nursery suits families who value communication support and practical collaboration with specialists. Its October 2024 strengths included children's involvement in decisions and resources for parents as well as individual care. Families placing a high priority on outdoor learning should give the two improvement points real weight when judging the current day-to-day experience.