Lesley's Private Day Nursery, Unit 7 Mortec Park

A vegetable patch gave children something concrete to talk about, grow and eat at this Mortec Park nursery in October 2023. Learning connected gardening with language and healthy habits, giving everyday experiences an educational purpose.

At its 3 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, made good progress. The nursery has capacity for 80 children, with a current age range of 30 to 60 months.

In October 2023, children helped the nursery chef tend the vegetable patch, recognised when tomatoes were ready to eat and learnt vocabulary for different vegetables. Growing food gave them opportunities to connect new words with things they could handle and observe.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. In October 2023, its practical expression included exploring number, size and solid shapes, alongside painting, threading pasta and handling glue sticks. These activities combined early mathematical understanding with practice controlling tools and materials.

Imaginative play also featured that month, with toy vehicles and role play providing starting points for stories. Adult support could extend these ideas, although opportunities to connect children's questions with earlier reading and gardening were sometimes missed.

In October 2023, staff gathered detailed information when children joined and used a key-person approach to support settling and moves between rooms or into school. Adults encouraged children to attempt unfamiliar challenges and try again after setbacks; children shared ideas and helped one another during play.

Communication that month included weekly emails, monthly newsletters, online updates and termly leaflets. Suggested home activities included counting conkers, cooking and reading together. Staff also worked with parents and other professionals when they identified gaps in learning, while leaders used coaching and targeted training to develop staff practice.

Meals in October 2023 were planned and prepared by the nursery chef. Children practised personal care and learnt to wash produce before eating it, linking independence with everyday hygiene.

Unit 7 Mortec Park is on York Road, Leeds, LS15 4TA. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week between Christmas and New Year.

In October 2023, session times ran from 7.30am to 6pm, and funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Those arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Adult-led groups. In October 2023, activities sometimes grew too large when additional children joined. Organisation mattered because it reduced the opportunities for children to build on their learning.
• Following children's curiosity. In October 2023, adults sometimes missed questions and emerging interests during play. More responsive conversation was needed to connect experiences with earlier learning.
• Attendance and funding. The nursery opens across the year, with specified holiday closures. At a visit, ask which booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your child's attendance.

Lesley's suits families seeking care for children aged 30 to 60 months within a weekday opening window extending from early morning to early evening. Its October 2023 strengths lay in practical learning, key-person relationships and communication with families. The two teaching improvements matter too: purposeful activities need manageable groups and adults who pick up children's ideas.