Storkway Nursery

Dolls, outdoor chalk and climbing bars give Storkway Nursery's November 2023 account its character: play joined up with conversation, movement and growing independence. Based at Storkway Childrens Centre in Kidbrooke, it has capacity for 50 children aged 6–60 months.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Storkway Good and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. The practical offer includes weekday opening across the year, with bank-holiday and Christmas closures.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the November 2023 activities illustrate learning through play, conversation and physical exploration.

In November 2023, babies put dolls to bed while staff helped them practise short phrases. Dough offered another opportunity to explore materials, while chalk took mark-making outdoors. Children painted on foil, giving creative work an unusual surface to investigate.

Outdoor play brought both movement and close observation. In November 2023, children practised steering trikes, played running games with rules and hung from climbing bars. Watching slugs and snails gave staff opportunities to extend conversations about animals and where they live. These examples connect physical play with language and curiosity.

At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that effective key-person relationships, targets and guidance from external professionals helped children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make progress.

In November 2023, staff offered affection and encouragement, helped children name emotions through stories, and encouraged them to talk about worries. Independence also had practical expression: children attempted coat fastenings, while older babies practised wiping their noses and disposing of tissues.

Meals in November 2023 were calm, with staff sitting alongside children and discussing healthy eating and table manners. Rice, fish and peas featured in one warm meal. This is a dated example of daily care rather than a current menu.

Storkway Nursery's address is Storkway Childrens Centre, Ridgebrook Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 9QX. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, excluding bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In November 2023, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That participation belongs to the inspection date.

• Home languages. In November 2023, play did not give children learning English enough opportunities to use their home languages, limiting vocabulary development. Families using more than one language should discuss how their child's language will enter everyday play.
• Understanding online safety. In November 2023, children using tablets were supervised, but staff did not teach them how to stay safe online. This matters alongside supervision as children begin using digital devices.
• Attendance arrangements. The weekday opening window spans 8am to 6pm. Which booking pattern and current funding arrangements would fit your family's week?

Storkway suits families seeking weekday childcare in Kidbrooke who value practical independence and play with opportunities for conversation and movement. In November 2023, engaging play sat alongside clear weaknesses in home-language opportunities and teaching online safety. Those two issues deserve attention when weighing the setting's care and learning.