Squeakies Nursery and Pre School

Rainwater, compost and growing plants gave everyday learning a practical character here in March 2023. Children explored their surroundings through conversation, movement and hands-on investigation, with the garden supplying material for activities rather than simply space to play.

Squeakies Nursery and Pre School in Kibworth Harcourt has capacity for 30 children aged three months to five years. At its 31 March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, while identifying improvements needed in babies' learning and hygiene routines.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: everyday play supports language, movement and understanding of the world.

In March 2023, children carried fruit waste to a garden compost bin and examined daffodils using magnifying glasses. These were concrete opportunities to connect new vocabulary with objects they could investigate. Peas and beans in the growing area prompted conversations about caring for plants.

Older children explored sand and worked out how a spoon could fit into a bottle. Chalk roads and tricycles brought movement together with discussion of crossings and stopping safely. Babies experienced garden stories and a wind chime, although their engagement in purposeful play was inconsistent. The contrast matters for families choosing care for the youngest children.

In March 2023, staff comforted babies with cuddles and used photographs brought from home to start conversations with children. Parents received ideas for supporting learning at home, alongside information about their children's development and help with settling.

Practical independence included handling knives safely while cutting fruit and preparing for lunch by washing hands. Hygiene was less consistent among staff: some babies waited for their noses to be cleaned, and handwashing before food service was uneven in the baby room. These were specific weaknesses in daily care, rather than a general criticism of the nursery's activities.

The address is 17 Harborough Road, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicester, LE8 0RB. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with bank holiday closures. This opening window gives families a clear starting point for assessing compatibility with work commitments.

In March 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise about a family's present entitlement.

• Babies' engagement. The March 2023 inspection called for stronger teaching to keep babies involved in learning. During a visit, ask how practitioners sustain babies' exploration and respond when play loses direction.
• Hygiene in daily care. In March 2023, routines around noses and food service were inconsistent. Ask to see how these tasks are handled throughout the day.

Squeakies suits families seeking care from infancy through the preschool years whose schedules fit its weekday opening hours. Its March 2023 activities give a useful picture of practical, nature-based learning, especially for older children. For parents of babies, engagement and hygiene deserve particular attention when assessing the current daily experience.