Pagoda Nursery

In July 2024, children at Pagoda Nursery balanced objects on weighing scales and pretended to sell ice creams in the garden. This Liverpool nursery has capacity for 19 children, with an accepted age range of 4 to 60 months. Small overall capacity is useful context, but it is not a measure of the number sharing an activity.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 22 July 2024 and found that children made good progress from their starting points. That judgement sits alongside two clear priorities: more precise support for staff’s teaching and better organisation at mealtimes.

The early years foundation stage covers children’s learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday routines into their education. In July 2024, children chose activities for themselves, while staff used their interests to plan further learning. Balancing objects on scales gave children a practical problem to solve; older children explored patterns using peg boards.

Group singing included calendar songs in July 2024. Outside, pretend ice cream selling combined imaginative play with opportunities to build friendships. Art and craft activities introduced different festivals, and regular outings included a zoo visit that extended children’s experience of animals. These examples show learning taking place through conversation, movement and shared play rather than only adult-led tasks.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities responsive, with parents and professionals involved in targeted plans. In July 2024, staff also talked with children about their families, and children sought staff out during the day.

School preparation involved nursery staff working with school staff to shape what children learnt before moving on. That was part of the July 2024 provision, alongside focused learning groups responding to individual development needs.

Children brought packed lunches in July 2024 and also ate healthy snacks. Some became unsettled or left the table because the lunchtime routine did not make expectations sufficiently clear.

Pagoda Nursery is based on Henry Street, Liverpool, L1 5BU, within the Chinese Pagoda Youth & Community Centre. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with closures for bank holidays and two weeks at Christmas.

In July 2024, session times ran from 8am until 6pm, and funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of provision rather than a promise of a funded place.

• Lunchtime organisation. In July 2024, unclear expectations left some children unsettled during meals. Ask how the routine now helps children stay engaged.
• Teaching support. Staff received training and day-to-day guidance in July 2024, but lacked precise improvement targets. Ask how individual teaching development is now supported.
• Attendance planning. The opening window extends from morning to evening. What booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your child’s week?

Pagoda Nursery suits families drawn to a small overall setting and practical, play-based learning. The July 2024 picture combines child-led choices, imaginative garden play and purposeful school preparation. Teaching support and lunchtime organisation remain the two dated improvement points to weigh when choosing it.