The Lemon Tree Day Nurseries

Strawberries, potatoes and pretend building work give The Lemon Tree Day Nurseries a practical character: in July 2023, children grew food in the garden and turned their observations of construction sites into play. Everyday experiences supplied the learning material.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and praised SEND support involving therapists and carefully reviewed plans. Based at Bude Park Childrens Centre in Bransholme, Hull, the nursery has 50 places for children aged 2 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, care and development, connecting education with everyday play and routines. In July 2023, babies explored illuminated toys and bubble lamps, while toddlers experimented with sand, water and block towers. Older children handled tools and explored what a saw does.

Garden growing gave children experience of how food develops. In July 2023, outings to observe construction work also led to imaginative building activities: children mixed shaving foam with sand and used soft bricks to construct walls. These were concrete ways to revisit something they had seen beyond the nursery.

During that same month, adults introduced vocabulary through conversation and repeated words during play. Stories supported literacy, older children explored letter sounds, and building activities introduced counting and number recognition. Small-group activities gave children opportunities to discuss experiences and feelings.

In July 2023, staff worked with speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, reviewed support plans and received training in signing and picture exchange. These were specific mechanisms for adapting communication and support to children's needs.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified two weaknesses: school partnerships needed strengthening, and some parents needed clearer information about their children's next learning steps. Daily activity updates were reaching families, but those updates did not consistently explain how to extend learning at home.

Independence featured in July 2023 routines through serving lunch, cutting fruit and pouring drinks. Meals and snacks included fruit and vegetables, while conversations about toothbrushing, handwashing and covering coughs connected health with practical self-care.

The address is Bude Park Childrens Centre, Cookbury Close, Bransholme, Hull HU7 4EY. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation except bank holidays and a week between Christmas and New Year.

In July 2023, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Moving on to school. School partnerships needed development in July 2023. Ask how transition arrangements now connect nursery staff with a child's next setting.
• Learning at home. July 2023 communication did not consistently give every parent their child's next steps. Ask how those goals are shared alongside daily activity updates.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window runs from 8am to 6pm. Ask which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your schedule, with a written quotation covering additional hours, food and consumables.

The Lemon Tree suits families seeking weekday care, with a July 2023 account of practical outdoor learning and support involving specialist professionals. Its appeal lies in children using everyday materials and routines to learn. School transition and communication about next steps deserve attention when choosing it.