Hummingbird Day Nursery

A tepee for storytelling, plants to investigate and vegetables to grow gave Hummingbird Day Nursery a practical, exploratory character in November 2021. Small everyday tasks mattered too, from writing names to negotiating turns with a sand timer.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 19 November 2021. Based at St. Benet Catholic Church in Abbey Grove, London, it has 24 places for children aged 0 to 60 months.

In November 2021, learning combined conversation, creative work and hands-on discovery. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, play connected language, counting and physical exploration.

Children measured ingredients for play dough, while conversations about the smell and feel of plants introduced vocabulary. A child's museum experience prompted painting and sunflower growing, connecting an interest from home with activities at nursery. Older children practised writing their names; younger children explored marks and letters.

The November 2021 reading space included a tepee, puppets, books and recording equipment, giving children different ways to tell stories. Incy Wincy Spider was among the songs staff led after children selected toys from a basket. Outdoors, climbing and balancing accompanied growing, harvesting and eating fruit and vegetables. These activities connected movement with an understanding of food and nature.

Community experiences also featured in November 2021: children made flags for a theatre event and explored differences between people, including celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community through coloured clothing.

At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff working with families and professionals, using additional funding and recording equipment to address children's individual learning needs, although support for children learning English as an additional language needed further attention.

In November 2021, families shared their children's sleep routines to help settling, and dietary needs received individual attention. Daily updates kept parents informed. Children practised nose blowing using a mirror, discussed dental health and used a sand timer to share a pushchair: care routines doubled as opportunities to practise independence.

The address is St. Benet Catholic Church, 31 Abbey Grove, London, SE2 9EU. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with closure on bank holidays.

• Support for additional languages. In November 2021, some play interactions missed opportunities to extend the communication of children learning English. Families using another language at home should discuss how staff build that support into play today.
• Planning attendance. The opening window spans 7.30am to 6.30pm. Which booking pattern and charge arrangements would apply to your child?

Hummingbird suits families drawn to learning through practical exploration, storytelling and everyday independence. Its November 2021 examples give that character substance: planting sunflowers, experimenting with ingredients and sharing resources. The Good judgement is dated, and the identified need for better additional-language support remains an important decision point for multilingual families.