Squirrels Nursery

Water play, garden climbing and a mud kitchen give Squirrels Nursery a practical, hands-on character, but mealtime safety is the decisive consideration for families. Its April 2026 findings combine worthwhile learning experiences with specific concerns about younger children's care.

At its 22 April 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged achievement, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance to meet the expected standard, with safeguarding standards met, while behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, and children's welfare and wellbeing needed attention. These are separate judgements, rather than an overall grade.

The nursery accepts children aged 24 to 48 months at The Acorn Centre in Waterlooville.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the April 2026 examples included learning about quantities through pouring water and exploring capacity with measuring scoops. Practical play gave mathematical ideas a concrete meaning.

In April 2026, children joined daily music and movement activities, while stories, rhymes and conversations supported language learning. Older children experimented with water flowing between different levels, creating opportunities to solve problems together.

The garden offered climbing and balancing, and the mud kitchen encouraged shared play. Regular community outings included the local library and outdoor green spaces, extending experiences beyond the nursery itself. These were activities documented in April 2026, rather than a current timetable.

At the April 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children formed trusting relationships with staff and that support for special educational needs and/or disabilities included picture symbols, sign language, small-group activities and personalised guidance. Those concrete communication tools helped children participate alongside others.

In April 2026, leaders worked with parents and professionals on emerging needs and supported transitions into nursery and onwards to school. Staff offered comfort when children needed it, and activities encouraged children to talk about feelings.

Mealtimes were the substantial weakness that April. Younger children sometimes moved around while eating, took other children's food or picked food up from the floor; supervision was inconsistent, creating choking and allergen risks. Encouragement to choose healthy food and access to fresh drinking water were also inconsistent. Required actions carried a deadline of 14 May 2026 and addressed supervision during eating, healthier mealtime routines, and healthy eating and accessible drinking water.

The address is The Acorn Centre, 3 The Kestrels, Eagle Avenue, Waterlooville, PO8 9GX. The calendar is term-time, with closure during school holidays. At the April 2026 inspection, opening hours were 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm Saturday.

• Eating safely. The April 2026 concerns included choking and allergen risks for younger children. Ask how staff now supervise eating and prevent children from moving around with food or taking food from others.
• Food and water routines. Actions due on 14 May 2026 included promoting healthy eating and ensuring accessible fresh drinking water. Ask what changed and how those routines are maintained throughout the day.
• Attendance arrangements. The term-time calendar includes school-holiday closures. At a visit, establish which booking pattern would fit your child's week.

Squirrels Nursery merits consideration for families seeking term-time care and practical learning through play. The April 2026 experiences show useful opportunities for communication, problem-solving and community exploration. However, the eating and drinking concerns deserve substantial weight in a decision, especially for families managing allergies. Clear answers about the changes to daily care should come before a commitment.