Carisbrooke Clever Cloggs

Storytelling on garden blankets and hand-delivered school post give Carisbrooke Clever Cloggs its character in the June 2023 account: learning through conversation, imagination and practical experience. This Newport nursery has capacity for 42 children aged 24 to 60 months.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Outstanding and found exceptional progress, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), alongside strong support for early communication. That is a dated judgement, rather than a description of today's daily practice.

In June 2023, activities followed a deliberate sequence: staff revisited earlier learning before introducing the next step. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the inspection-time examples show those elements connected through play and conversation.

Language had a physical dimension. Children used fly swatters on foam while practising a word that described the action, linking its sound with its meaning. Puppets and pictures helped explain the distinction between a hen and a cockerel. These were concrete ways to make unfamiliar language understandable.

Books travelled outdoors. In the garden, children stretched out on blankets and invented stories from familiar illustrations, while page-turning and following text helped build early reading habits. Charity-awareness walks also connected children's activities with the wider community. Staff challenged gender stereotypes, giving children room to explore their interests.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff understanding how to escalate concerns, thorough recruitment checks and risk assessments supporting safe play. Families also received information about children's online safety.

In June 2023, practitioners noticed small changes in children's behaviour and responded with comfort, including when children were still developing spoken communication. Work with parents and other professionals helped keep support consistent, while staff supervision and training concentrated on development needs such as language skills.

Behaviour was explained through consequences. A child throwing chalk was helped to explore its hardness and weight, then consider a softer alternative. Health learning was similarly practical: children practised toothbrushing movements on toy dinosaurs. Fresh air and physical activity supported movement and strength.

School preparation was tailored to the child. Those who struggled with change began earlier, delivering school post and taking part in familiarisation activities. This made future people, routines and surroundings less unfamiliar.

Wellington Road, Newport, PO30 5QT is the nursery's address. Opening hours are 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; it closes for school holidays. This timetable matters for families arranging care around a school day.

In June 2023, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four years. At that time it occupied the site of Carisbrooke C of E Primary School. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Term-time timetable. The 3pm closing time and school-holiday closure shape the working week. Families needing later or holiday care should weigh that timetable carefully.
• Support and settling. The June 2023 account describes sensitive communication support and early preparation for children who find change difficult. At a visit, how would those approaches be adapted to your child's needs now?
• School-site expectations. Sharing the Carisbrooke C of E Primary School site in June 2023 did not confer a guaranteed Reception place. Treat nursery choice and the school application as separate decisions.

Carisbrooke Clever Cloggs suits families whose childcare needs fit term-time weekday opening. Its June 2023 strengths were concrete: language linked to actions, stories taken into the garden and school preparation adjusted to individual children. The Outstanding judgement gives those examples weight, while the school-day timetable is the central practical consideration.