South Hampstead Daycare

South Hampstead Daycare is a small early-years setting for children from birth to two in Maresfield Gardens, London. Ofsted judged it Good in May 2023, an improvement from Requires Improvement in May 2022. The later report describes caring, attentive staff and children making progress.

Its most memorable learning is concrete and sensory. Inspectors saw children handle oranges, guava, avocado and mango while reading Handa’s Surprise, then learn words such as squeeze and spiky. Children also counted to ten in English and Hebrew. This combination connected story, sensory exploration, early vocabulary and number work in experiences especially well suited to very young children.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes learning through play across communication, physical, personal and early academic development. In May 2023, leaders had an ambitious curriculum vision, staff understood what children should learn, and planning followed children’s interests. Everyday play therefore had a purpose while leaving room for curiosity and repeated practice over time. Communication ran through play: adults sustained conversations, asked purposeful questions and introduced words in context, giving a child at the beginning of speech an immediate connection between language and the object being touched, smelled or moved. Mathematical learning included counting and comparing light and heavy objects. Staff modelled tasks, adapted resources and encouraged children to keep trying, pairing challenge with support. Counting in two languages also made number work part of the setting’s cultural life rather than a detached exercise. For Shavuot, children explored fresh flowers, smelled petals and placed stems through small vase holes to practise fine-motor control.

Outdoor play mixed movement and investigation. Children climbed a slide, danced, balanced on boards and searched beneath pots for woodlice in the bug garden. Staff introduced the words explore and investigate as they did so. Physical development, imaginative play and vocabulary were combined rather than treated as separate lessons.

Ofsted found safeguarding effective in May 2023. Staff knew the safeguarding procedures, while recruitment and suitability controls were in place. In May 2023, leaders used staff supervision and further learning to strengthen practice and help adults understand young children’s development. The manager had communicated a clearer vision since the earlier inspection, and practice was more consistent.

Healthy routines included nutritious food, exercise, sleep, handwashing and toothbrushing activities. Staff served snacks and meals as part of the daily care routine. A calm zone and a colour-monster book helped children begin to recognise emotions and regulate themselves. Staff were caring and attentive, while children behaved well and persevered with unfamiliar skills. Those observations show a calm base alongside encouragement to attempt something difficult. Daily care was also treated as learning. Handwashing and toothbrushing built familiarity with personal care, while regular sleep and exercise supported the rhythm of a very young child’s day. The inspection’s mealtime action is important precisely because serving food can also become a chance to choose, hold, pour or help. The strength here is not a claim of perfection, but evidence of improvement coupled with two clear next steps.

The setting is at The Delazslo Hall, Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SU. The provider record gives an all-year pattern, excluding bank holidays, with full days from 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and a shorter 8am to noon Friday. Current funding, meals and consumables terms should be obtained in writing before committing.

Mealtime independence. Ofsted asked the nursery to give capable children more opportunities to develop independence at meals. This matters for children ready to practise self-help skills; the current mealtime routine is an important visit question.

Progress checks. Inspectors also asked leaders to ensure staff understood the purpose and use of the progress check for children aged two to three. How assessment information is now shared should form part of a visit as a child approaches two.

This is best suited to families seeking care for a child under two who value language-rich sensory activities, outdoor exploration and a setting that improved its inspection grade. The full-day pattern best suits families needing long days Monday to Thursday; the shorter Friday may suit a family seeking a partial-day end to the week.