JJ's Early Explorers

An allotment, a mud kitchen and a separate communication hub give JJ's Early Explorers a recognisable character: outdoor exploration sits alongside practical support for communication. These were central features of nursery life in July 2022, with children gathering herbs for play and using a garden pump to keep their water activities going.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, judging education and SEND provision highly and finding that children across abilities were progressing. That is a strong dated judgement, rather than a description of today's daily arrangements.

In July 2022, children used the allotment and mud kitchen together, bringing home-grown herbs into their play. When their water supply ran out, they fetched more from a pump elsewhere in the garden. The activity gave children a practical problem to solve, rather than an adult supplying the answer.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2022 activities brought those strands together through stories, conversation, mathematical resources and outdoor play.

Communication and emotional development were curriculum priorities in July 2022. During a Brown Bear story, staff used Makaton actions and two-year-olds joined in. For children with stronger mathematical skills, staff had obtained numicon resources from a local primary school, giving them material suited to further challenge.

Two classrooms and the communication hub were in use during that visit. Staff had also completed training in Makaton and forest school; the training itself should be distinguished from a promise of particular sessions.

The communication hub gave group work and individual interventions their own space in July 2022. Chatterbugs sessions involved a speech and language therapist, and parents could participate in their child's learning there. This made specialist work something families could share, rather than an activity happening separately from them.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff knowledge checked through quizzes, visitors vetted and concerns acted on promptly. Staff also took part in multi-agency audits, using work with other professionals to review their practice.

In July 2022, support included individual SEND plans and bucket therapy, used to engage children with autism. Staff adjusted activities and the environment to children's needs. Parents received help to continue learning at home, while children showed consideration towards friends needing additional support.

JJ's Early Explorers is at Holy Spirit School, Cotterill, Halton Brook, Runcorn, WA7 2NL. It has 39 places in total.

In July 2022, the nursery operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions running from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Children attending at that visit were aged two to four, and funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated attendance and funding arrangements.

• Term-time planning. The July 2022 pattern followed term time and daytime sessions. What attendance arrangements now apply for your child's age and your working week?
• Communication support. In July 2022, the communication hub accommodated individual work, group activities and Chatterbugs sessions with a speech and language therapist. A visit can explore how your child would use that support and how you would participate.

JJ's Early Explorers merits attention from families drawn to practical outdoor learning and communication support. Its July 2022 provision combined garden problem-solving with a separate space for specialist intervention, backed by an Outstanding judgement. The attendance pattern at that time suited families seeking term-time daytime sessions; the strongest decision value lies in how those learning and support arrangements fit an individual child.