The Meadows Nursery School

Block-built bridges, tricycles and a large decked outdoor space give The Meadows Nursery School a practical, playful character. In November 2023, children used these resources to move, build and play together, while staff helped them develop their language through conversation.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. The important qualification is educational: counting, number knowledge and shape needed more attention, alongside greater freedom for children to experiment independently.

Based at East Horsley Village Hall in Leatherhead, the nursery has 39 places in total and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months. It operates during term time.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the November 2023 account illustrates that through shared books, songs, mark-making and physical play.

Chalk activities took place indoors and outside, with children trying out letter shapes. Adults discussed books with them and repeated words with clearer pronunciation when needed. These were everyday opportunities to practise speaking and early writing.

Outside, the decked space supported running, crawling and climbing. Children also investigated fallen leaves and dirt. Building bridges from blocks and taking tricycles through them brought construction and movement together in the same activity.

There was a limit to this exploratory learning. In November 2023, adult-planned activities did not consistently leave children enough room to test their own ideas or decide what to do next. That matters alongside the enjoyable resources: choosing and experimenting are part of learning, too.

In November 2023, younger children sought their key person for comfort before sleeping. Staff responded calmly during play and helped children take turns. Children also poured drinks and offered them to friends, giving small daily routines a social purpose.

At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that progress monitoring helped identify learning gaps, with prompt additional help and adaptations made alongside other professionals to support inclusion. Training addressed specific children's needs.

Communication in that month included photographs and updates through the nursery app, as well as conversations with staff. Parents received ideas for continuing learning at home, connecting nursery activities with family life.

The address is East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue, Leatherhead, KT24 6QT. Term-time attendance is the current operating pattern, with closure during school holidays.

In November 2023, opening hours were 8.15am to 3pm on weekdays. At that time, funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating details, rather than a promise of today's booking arrangements.

• Mathematical learning. In November 2023, counting, number understanding and shape needed stronger support. The improvement priority concerns how everyday activities extend children's mathematical thinking.
• Independent exploration. Children did not consistently have enough opportunity to pursue their own ideas in November 2023. The balance between adult direction and child choice deserves attention.
• Term-time fit. Closure during school holidays affects the family's childcare calendar. At a visit, ask which attendance pattern would fit your working week.

The Meadows suits families seeking term-time childcare, with an inspection-era picture of close key-person relationships, conversational learning and active outdoor play. Its November 2023 strengths sit alongside two clear educational priorities: deeper mathematical learning and more independent discovery. Both matter when weighing the provision.