Phoenix Montessori Nursery

Storytelling on a stage, sign language in songs and giant African land snails give Phoenix Montessori Nursery's December 2021 account real character. Practical independence runs through it too: children tackled their own clothing and helped friends with tricky zips.

Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding at its 9 December 2021 inspection. On Gayton Road in King's Lynn, it has capacity for 36 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its current attendance calendar is term-time only.

In December 2021, the curriculum combined Montessori elements with broader learning experiences. The early years foundation stage supplies the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the dated examples connect language, physical skills and exploration through everyday activities.

Children used a stage for stories and songs, remembered signs accompanying familiar songs and discussed the trails left by giant African land snails. These experiences gave them concrete things to describe and recall. Books also prompted conversations about new ideas and words, rather than serving only as a quiet activity.

Snack preparation became another learning opportunity that December. Children cut fruit, examined seeds and compared sizes, then considered what seeds would need to grow. An indoor gym offered physical challenges, with children showing that they understood how to use equipment safely. Turn-taking appeared in skittles, while safe scissor use demonstrated remembered learning.

At the December 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and highlighted staff's detailed knowledge of their key children, partnership with other agencies and communication with parents. This supports the dated judgement with practical evidence about how care and learning were connected.

In December 2021, information gathered from parents helped staff shape settling experiences around children's interests. Parents received updates about achievements and help with continuing learning at home. The emphasis was on knowing the individual child, rather than giving everyone the same starting point.

Independence was visible in small tasks that month: handwashing, collecting lunch bags and persevering with coats, socks and shoes. Children also helped one another. Staff supported celebrations that mattered to children and their friends, connecting respect for others with familiar community experiences.

The address is Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays. That calendar matters as much as the daily finishing time when arranging family childcare.

In December 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated funding position rather than a promise about an individual child's entitlement.

• Term-time calendar. School holidays are closure periods, and the day ends at 4pm. Families needing holiday or later-afternoon care will need an arrangement that fits those boundaries.
• Settling into practical independence. The December 2021 examples included dressing, snack preparation and learning through children's interests. During a visit, ask how today's settling arrangements adapt those experiences to your child's starting point.

Phoenix suits families seeking term-time childcare within an 8.30am to 4pm opening window. Its strongest case rests on the December 2021 combination of expressive activities, practical tasks and individual attention. The Outstanding judgement gives that account weight, while its age means families should distinguish the inspected experience from today's arrangements.