Milestones Private Day Nursery

Paint explored with cardboard tubes, pumpkins ordered by size and counting practised through music: Milestones’ October 2024 activities gave children concrete ways to experiment and learn. At its 23 October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective.

On Tongue Lane in Leeds, Milestones Private Day Nursery accepts children from 3 months to 60 months and has 58 places in total. Its inspection picture combines attentive relationships with two practical priorities: consistency in communication support for children with SEND, and greater independence during meals.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care, bringing learning and everyday care together. In October 2024, activities included painting for the youngest children, shaping play dough for two-year-olds and musical counting for preschool children. These gave different ages opportunities to explore materials, use their hands and practise listening.

Outdoor movement had a clear place in the day. In October 2024, the dedicated transport area held scooters, pedal cars and balance bikes, while children also made obstacle courses and used wooden planks. Preschool children practised climbing and jumping on outdoor apparatus. Regular walks took children to nearby woods, extending their experiences beyond the nursery grounds.

In October 2024, children had a key person and received individual help during changes in routine and moves between rooms. Staff offered comfort when children were unsettled. Those small transitions matter alongside the bigger move to a new room: support was part of the ordinary day.

At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that communication strategies for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) were not yet used consistently, and identified mealtime independence and waiting as further priorities. In October 2024, staff supported toilet training and encouraged children to dress for outdoor play, but opportunities to set tables or pour drinks were less developed.

Freshly prepared lunches and arrangements for special dietary needs formed part of care in October 2024. Stories, songs and rhymes also gave children opportunities to hear and practise words.

The address is Milestones Day Nursery, Tongue Lane, Leeds, LS6 4QE. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening except bank holidays.

In October 2024, session times ran from 7.30am until 6pm, and the nursery offered government-funded childcare places. Additional funding supported experiences tailored to individual children’s learning needs.

• Communication support. Consistent use of SEND communication strategies was an October 2024 improvement priority. Ask how staff now coordinate the approaches used for your child.
• Mealtime independence. In October 2024, children sometimes waited too long to be served and had limited opportunities to help themselves. Explore how meals now involve children in useful tasks.
• Attendance and costs. For your intended booking, what session pattern and funded-hours arrangement would apply, and what would the written quotation include for meals and consumables?

Milestones suits families seeking care across the baby, toddler and preschool years, with weekday opening spanning the working day. The October 2024 examples give substance to its Good judgement: practical exploration, outdoor movement and individual support during transitions. Consistency in SEND communication support and children’s role at mealtimes are the points to explore most closely.