The Lemon Tree Day Nurseries

Child-safe knives, story puppets and outdoor ramps give this Bransholme nursery's inspection account its character: children exploring ideas and practising everyday independence. The Lemon Tree Day Nurseries has capacity for 42 children, with a current age range of 7 to 60 months.

At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding overall. That judgement belongs to a dated assessment; the practical examples below show what care and learning looked like then.

In November 2022, children investigated vegetables by cutting them open with child-safe knives, while building railway tracks prompted shared problem-solving. Staff asked questions and allowed time for answers, giving children room to think rather than supplying the solution immediately.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. In the November 2022 activities, that meant connecting language, exploration and physical play: children used magnifying glasses to find book characters and puppets to recreate stories. Reading involved participation as well as listening.

Outdoor experiences were equally concrete in November 2022. Babies explored fallen leaves and negotiated ramps; older children tackled obstacle courses and discussed exercise and drinking enough water. Green outdoor space gave these experiences a physical setting, with different challenges for different stages of development.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities making excellent progress, supported by staff and the special educational needs coordinator. Developmentally matched group activities included bubbles and feathers, making support part of children's play.

In November 2022, visual reminders helped explain behaviour expectations, while timers and musical instruments signalled changes in routine. These gave children advance notice of what would happen next. Staff also supported practical independence: children served their own lunch, used cutlery and cleared their plates.

Supervised toothbrushing featured in November 2022, alongside visits from community police officers to discuss safety. Parents used a nursery app, received guidance about children's learning goals and could attend free first-aid training. Teddy bears' picnics offered another way to take part in nursery life.

In November 2022, staff directed families towards courses and classes through their partnership with the on-site children's centre. Staff also worked with agencies involved in children's care, connecting nursery support with help beyond the setting.

The address is Lothian Way, Bransholme, Hull, HU7 5DD. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week between Christmas and New Year.

In November 2022, session times ran from 7.30am to 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are inspection-era arrangements, rather than a description of a current funded booking package.

• The dated assessment. The Outstanding judgement dates from November 2022. On a visit, explore how today's learning and support build on the practical examples described here.
• Your attendance and funding package. The weekday opening window spans 7.30am to 6pm. Ask which booking pattern fits your week and request a written quotation covering funded hours, meals and consumables.

For families choosing care in Bransholme, the strongest case is the November 2022 picture of hands-on learning, everyday independence and close links with parents. Babies' outdoor exploration and older children's storytelling give that judgement substance. It suits parents who value practical play and involvement in their child's learning, with the dated inspection kept clearly in view.