Giggles Day Nursery

Song-bag props, children's family celebrations and letters taken to the local post office give Giggles Day Nursery a recognisable character. These were concrete examples of learning in December 2023, connecting language and play with experiences beyond the playroom.

At its December 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children made good progress, including those receiving targeted help. The Horsham setting has capacity for 47 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines build communication, independence and understanding of the world.

In December 2023, practitioners combined children's interests, their observations and information from parents when planning learning. Children chose objects from a song bag to accompany songs and rhymes, while signing and familiar words from home languages supported communication. Babies explored Christmas decorations in a sensory tray, with adults naming the objects they touched.

Practical experiences gave learning a purpose. The December 2023 inspection described older preschool children learning about writing letters, followed by a trip to the local post office. Children also poured drinks at a self-service water station and put on their own coats. These were opportunities to attempt useful tasks themselves.

In December 2023, staff comforted babies and younger children and helped them settle into activities. Family customs shaped experiences too: Saint Nicholas Day was one example of a celebration acknowledged through activities. This connected nursery life with children's experiences at home.

The same month's care arrangements included staff training in child protection and support from a designated safeguarding lead. Staff understood children's health and dietary needs, and children practised safety rules for the stairs between their playroom and garden.

There were clear areas needing attention. Older children needed more help to recover independently from small setbacks, teaching about online safety and screen use needed extending, and feedback to parents varied between age groups. Those findings matter alongside the overall grade.

Giggles Day Nursery's address is 23-25 Springfield Road, Horsham, RH12 2PG. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In December 2023, the nursery received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. This is an inspection-time position, rather than a statement of today's funding arrangements.

• Feedback between age groups. December 2023 feedback to parents was inconsistent across age groups. At a visit, ask how your child's key person now shares information about learning and care.
• Independence and screen safety. The December 2023 improvement points covered coping with minor setbacks and learning about safe screen use. Ask for examples of how these are taught now.
• Attendance and funding. The opening window spans the working day. Which booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's routine?

Giggles merits consideration for families seeking care within a weekday working-day window, with an inspection-era emphasis on communication, practical independence and family customs. The December 2023 Good judgement provides a useful starting point; consistent parent feedback and the teaching of resilience and screen safety deserve attention when choosing.