Tops Day Nurseries: Havant Nursery

Independence starts with small tasks at Tops Day Nurseries: Havant Nursery: in November 2023, children progressed from spreading their own crackers to cutting fruit for snacks. These everyday opportunities gave children a practical part in their own care.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, while identifying a need for more precise planning of individual learning.

The Stockheath Lane setting has capacity for 54 children and accepts ages from 3 to 60 months. Its appeal rests on practical learning and family relationships, balanced against subsequent regulatory findings that deserve attention.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday interactions support communication, physical skills and growing independence.

In November 2023, music and movement drew children into activities, while climbing equipment gave younger children opportunities to practise judging risks. A stuck bubble wand became a problem to solve together. Adults demonstrated possible approaches, then encouraged children to work out a solution themselves. The emphasis was on participation rather than simply watching an adult complete the task.

Language work began with objects that helped the youngest children express what they needed. Older children practised listening in small groups, and adults introduced words describing the materials children were handling. That linked new vocabulary to something children could immediately explore and discuss.

The learning concern was specific. Although observations helped staff recognise gaps, some practitioners did not consistently translate that information into activities matched closely enough to each child's next step.

Professional learning also fed into children's activities in November 2023. Following training, staff introduced projects including a curiosity box, using conversation to encourage children to investigate the world around them. The important element was the discussion accompanying the resource: an adult helped children think about what they encountered. This gave curiosity a practical place in the day, alongside the physical exploration and problem-solving described above.

Social learning involved demonstration as well as explanation. Adults showed children how to take turns, then helped them try it with other children. For families, that is a useful example of how everyday play can become practice in sharing attention and managing relationships, rather than leaving children to work out every disagreement alone.

In November 2023, familiar adults comforted unsettled children, and staff helped children work through disagreements about toys by acknowledging feelings and encouraging consideration for others. Children needing help with emotional regulation could use a quieter space alongside an adult they trusted. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator helped staff adapt the environment to individual needs.

Family support extended beyond nursery activities. Stories and games supported learning at home, while practical help included assistance with finding a dentist. Additional funding supported individual emotional development through resources usable both at home and in nursery.

Later regulatory findings qualify that picture. Following regulatory visits in July 2024, March 2025 and October 2025, Ofsted recorded failures to meet some requirements and action taken to correct them. The July outcome described additional measures and policy reviews; the March 2025 visit followed notification of a safeguarding incident and concerns about the suitable people requirement, with the outcome recording strengthened safeguarding reporting procedures embedded in practice; the October outcome described revised risk assessments, an investigation and reinforced accident and first-aid procedures.

The address is Stockheath Lane, Havant, PO9 3BD. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day. That opening window gives families a useful boundary for planning care around work.

In November 2023, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Learning matched to your child. The November 2023 improvement point concerned using observations to plan individual next steps. On a visit, ask for an example of how an observation becomes the next activity for your child.
• Later compliance findings. The July 2024, March 2025 and October 2025 outcomes each recorded corrective action after requirements were not met. Discuss how the revised safeguarding, accident and risk-assessment procedures work in daily practice.

Havant merits consideration for families who value practical independence, language development and close support between home and nursery. The November 2023 examples give substance to that appeal. Individual learning plans and the procedures strengthened after later regulatory visits should be central to a family's decision.