CherryVale Nursery

An old school building, refurbished outdoor areas and a sensory room give CherryVale Nursery in Ash Vale a recognisable character: play has space indoors and outside, with an additional room children may use for sensory experiences. The emphasis is on relationships and learning through play.

At its 7 August 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The detail was balanced: settling visits helped staff get to know children, while teamwork between practitioners, resources for play and the exchange of learning information with parents needed greater consistency. Those points matter as much as the grade.

CherryVale accepts children aged 2 to 60 months. Full days, mornings and afternoons provide different attendance patterns, subject to a minimum weekly booking that includes a Monday or Friday.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes learning through play, including sensory exploration, stories, language and opportunities to become more independent. It is the common early-years framework; CherryVale's own account of learning uses an empty backpack that gradually fills with knowledge, skills and confidence before children move on to school.

Alongside this, the group-wide commitments include Confident Communicators, supporting children to express themselves in ways that work for them, and Explorers of Our World, connecting learning with outdoor experiences. These describe the intended direction of the day. The practical examples are more useful than the labels alone: stories, creative play and outdoor exploration give children different ways to take part.

In August 2024, babies explored through sensory play, toddlers practised caring for dolls, and older children used computer activities to colour pictures. Story sessions included actions and anticipating what would happen next. Learning therefore involved movement, conversation and pretend play as well as digital activities; children were doing things, rather than simply listening.

Outdoor and Community Life

Recently refurbished outdoor areas cater for different ages, and a large outdoor space is part of the nursery's facilities. The sensory room adds another possible setting for exploration. These physical differences give families something concrete to weigh alongside the curriculum: the surroundings support different kinds of activity, rather than keeping the whole day in one space.

In August 2024, interest in the Olympics shaped physical activities. Toddlers aimed water sprays at paper targets; preschool children tried balancing, hurdles and relay races. Painting also took place outdoors, so outside time extended beyond physical activities.

Resources were less consistent. That August, an accessible water tray was empty and a chalkboard lacked chalk, restricting the choices children could actually make. The distinction is practical: having equipment matters only when children can use it. The current outdoor refurbishment is a physical change, but does not itself establish how consistently resources are maintained.

Relationships and Communication

In August 2024, settling visits gathered information about children's preferences before they started, helping practitioners build a relationship through the key person. For a family leaving a baby or toddler in childcare, that preparation gives staff something personal to work with from the beginning.

Communication needed attention in two directions. In August 2024, teamwork varied between rooms, and the exchange of ideas with parents about learning at home was inconsistent. These were separate issues: staff needed to communicate reliably with colleagues, and parents needed opportunities to contribute as well as receive information.

The same month, practitioners recognised children's uncertainty about starting school and offered reassurance. This was emotional preparation for a change, rather than an admissions advantage. Children were also helped to recognise and manage their feelings during everyday interactions.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In August 2024, the sleep room had an open doorway so babies who could not yet speak could indicate that they wanted to rest by going inside. It was a concrete way of responding to a child's cue. Handwashing sinks were present throughout the rooms, with steps enabling younger children to attempt the routine themselves.

The staffing snapshot for August 2024 was 29 practitioners working directly with children, including 22 with relevant childcare qualifications. These are dated staffing figures, rather than a measure of today's room sizes or adult deployment.

Meals are prepared fresh at the nursery each day with seasonal ingredients. Foodie Fridays may introduce themed opportunities to explore tastes and healthy choices; this is a possible part of the offer, rather than a guaranteed weekly event.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Frimley Road, Ash Vale, GU12 5NZ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, across 51 weeks, with public holidays and a Christmas week excluded. Onsite parking and buggy storage are provided.

Booked sessions have their own times: a full day runs from 8am to 6pm, a morning from 8am to 1pm, and an afternoon from 1pm to 6pm. The weekly minimum is either four morning or afternoon sessions, or two full days, and must include a Monday or Friday. The earlier opening and later closing times should therefore be kept separate from the standard booked sessions.

Enquiries can be made through the nursery's enquiry facility or by calling 01252 545477. Permanent session changes and cancellations require one calendar month's notice. Normal charges continue on bank holidays, and sickness or holidays do not attract exchanges, credits or refunds.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered for children aged 9 months to 4 years through the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements, with 2 Help funding also accepted. The standard arrangement stretches entitlement across the operating year, giving fewer funded hours each week than a term-time allocation. Funded hours can stand alone or be combined with paid childcare, and their use within day, morning or afternoon sessions depends on availability.

Private session fees include meals and consumables. During funded hours, food, consumables and enrichment are charged separately through the optional Essentials Package; families can opt out by contacting the manager before term begins. Consumables include wipes, nappies, nappy bags, cream and sun cream, and opting out may require suitable alternatives or arrangements for collecting and disposing of consumables, depending on the nursery's policy.

The Enrichment Programme adds experiences beyond the standard early-years curriculum, which may include baking, gardening and celebration days. These are examples of what may be included, rather than a fixed activity timetable. Funding does not pay for this package.

Fees are calculated over 52 weeks despite the 51-week opening year, and the additional charged week carries no funding. A registration charge and a deposit apply, both waived for fully funded places; the deposit is credited against the final invoice. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation, with the charging structure on its fees page.

• A fixed weekly commitment. Four shorter sessions or two full days must include a Monday or Friday. This suits a regular routine, but families needing a smaller weekly booking should weigh the minimum before choosing.
• Consistency within rooms. August 2024 brought improvement points on teamwork and ready-to-use play resources. On a visit, ask how staff handovers work and look at whether the outdoor activities are supplied for children to use.
• Learning shared with home. Two-way communication needed strengthening in August 2024. Ask how parents contribute information and receive practical ideas connected to their child's learning.
• The funded-hours bill. The optional Essentials Package and the unfunded additional charged week affect the overall cost. A written quotation should distinguish paid hours, package choices and annual billing so families can compare like attendance patterns.

CherryVale suits families seeking either full days or regular morning and afternoon sessions, with year-round attendance and a clear minimum booking. Its old school building, outdoor areas and sensory room give play several settings, while the August 2024 examples show attention to children's interests and everyday independence.

The decision turns on consistency as well as facilities. Team communication, usable resources and the exchange of learning information with parents were the improvement priorities in August 2024. Families who value an established routine and several ways to explore should weigh those points alongside the precise attendance commitment and funded-hours charging structure.