Mace Annex

Cornflour, toy cars and home-language stories give Mace Annex's May 2025 nursery life a recognisable character: sensory exploration sits alongside practical independence and family involvement. At its May 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective.

Mace Annex is at 25-27 Dalling Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0JD, with capacity for 20 children. In May 2025, the children attending were aged 1 to 3. That age range describes the children there at the time.

In May 2025, activities followed children's interests, monthly themes and their next learning steps. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday routines into children's learning. Cars used to make marks in cornflour gave children a tactile way to explore movement and mark-making.

Independence extended to ordinary tasks. Babies fed themselves, while children helped wipe tables before snacks. These small responsibilities gave them opportunities to take part rather than leave everything to adults.

Physical experiences in May 2025 included sand, water, soft play equipment and yoga sessions. Children explored textures and practised different movements; regular opportunities to use a local park or garden added outdoor experiences.

The language of the month brought home languages into nursery life. In May 2025, parents contributed songs and stories, and staff gathered familiar words from families when children started. This gave children's languages a place in shared activities.

In May 2025, settling support included photographs of parents and earlier activities, alongside comfort from staff. Familiar images gave children something recognisable to return to while building relationships. Practitioners encouraged sharing and turn-taking and helped children talk about emotions.

At the May 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff tracked learning closely, recognised gaps promptly and supported children's progress, including those learning English as an additional language.

Parents in May 2025 received photographs and activity updates through an online application. Parents could also join stay and play sessions or take part in Mother's day activities. Feedback from families had prompted staff to share more activity photographs, showing a concrete response to parents' requests.

In May 2025, opening hours were 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. These were opening hours rather than a description of bookable sessions.

The Dalling Road address places the nursery in Hammersmith. Its 20 places describe whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of a particular play group.

• Time to respond. In May 2025, staff sometimes spoke too quickly and left insufficient thinking time after questions. Ask how practitioners now adjust their pace and allow children to answer.
• Attendance pattern. The May 2025 opening window covered weekdays across the year. Which booking patterns would fit your family's routine?
• Family participation. The language of the month and stay and play sessions involved parents in May 2025. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how your family's language and routines could contribute.

Mace Annex merits consideration for families who value sensory play, early independence and involvement in their child's learning. Its May 2025 practice combined hands-on activities with familiar language and family photographs. The teaching improvement is specific: children needed more time to process questions and respond. That is the useful point to explore alongside the nursery's positive inspection judgement.