Dee's Childcare

An outdoor classroom for babies and older children helping younger ones find their play resources give Dee's Childcare a recognisable character. In February 2025, these experiences combined outdoor exploration with everyday opportunities to practise consideration for others.

At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children made good progress towards their learning goals. Dee's Childcare has capacity for 26 children aged 6 to 60 months, at Lower Ground Floor, 213A Burrage Road, London SE18 7JZ.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play and routines contribute to learning, alongside activities planned around what children need next.

In February 2025, staff discussed children's next learning steps together and adjusted resources in response to children's interests. Technology had a practical role. Younger children explored what happened when they pressed buttons that produced light or sound; older children used smart speakers to ask questions and choose songs.

Outdoor learning had substance. In February 2025, the outdoor classroom gave babies longer opportunities to explore nature, while slides offered practice in moving safely. Children also learnt to put on suitable outdoor clothing themselves, making preparation for play an exercise in independence.

At the February 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities through targets agreed with parents and other agencies, and maintained strong communication with families. Meetings covered development and next steps, giving parents specific learning to continue at home.

In February 2025, parents contributed observations that helped staff identify gaps in learning. Children used polite language spontaneously, and older children accompanied younger ones back to their rooms. These were concrete opportunities to practise helping others.

Accident procedures also received attention in February 2025: leaders reviewed reporting and notifications to external agencies, while training addressed first aid and the actions needed afterwards.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, with bank holidays closed. The address is Lower Ground Floor, 213A Burrage Road, London SE18 7JZ.

In February 2025, the nursery offered government-funded childcare. That establishes participation at that date rather than an individual child's entitlement.

• Language modelling. In February 2025, some staff used vocabulary inaccurately when extending children's speech. Consider how consistently adults model precise language during play.
• Waiting between activities. In February 2025, changes between familiar routines sometimes left children waiting rather than learning. The organisation of these moments matters alongside the activities themselves.
• Attendance arrangements. How would a booking pattern fit your family's needs within the weekday opening hours of 7.30am to 6.30pm?

Dee's Childcare merits consideration by families who value outdoor exploration, growing independence and practical communication about learning. Its February 2025 experiences give those priorities substance: babies explored outdoors, children chose resources and parents contributed observations. Balance those strengths against the need for more consistent vocabulary and smoother movement between activities identified that month.