Storybook Day Nursery

Storytelling, signing and sensory play shaped Storybook Day Nursery's October 2023 inspection account. At its 4 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding overall and across every assessed area, with communication, relationships and preparation for the next stage of learning among its strengths. The detail behind that judgement matters more than the label: books prompted activities, signing supported communication, and outdoor spaces accommodated different sensory needs.

At 107 Front Lane, Upminster, RM14 1XN, the nursery has capacity for 60 children aged 3 to 59 months. That is the whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of an individual room or the number attending together. Its opening window runs from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round opening apart from bank holidays and Christmas.

The strongest reasons to consider it are educational and relational. The dated account describes children learning through close interaction with adults who knew their interests, alongside practical support for communication and changes between rooms.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing those parts of nursery life together. In October 2023, activities were sequenced around children's existing knowledge and abilities, while key persons adapted learning to individual interests and next steps. That gives the day a purpose beyond keeping children occupied.

Books supplied both stories and starting points for further activity. In October 2023, staff paired selected books with opportunities to use unfamiliar vocabulary; singing also featured throughout the nursery. Makaton signing supported language development, alongside pictures and games designed to build attention. Children therefore had several ways to participate in communication, rather than relying solely on spoken words.

Outdoor and Community Life

In October 2023, the outdoor area combined movement with investigation. A natural treasure basket gave younger children objects to explore, while a hill provided opportunities for running together. These were different kinds of play within the same outdoor provision: examining objects closely and moving energetically.

A sensory footpath accommodated children with additional sensory needs. Its value was practical, giving those children another way to engage with the outdoor space. The sensory room also formed part of the provision at that time, extending the account of how the environment supported different needs beyond the garden.

Relationships and Communication

In October 2023, key persons could explain children's interests and development, and identify what they would work on next. Babies explored their surroundings soon after joining, and tactile books helped adults sustain their attention. These examples connect personal knowledge of a child with the activities an adult chooses.

Room changes were handled in small groups, accompanied by an adult the children already knew. This gave children continuity while becoming familiar with a different room. Links with local schools and feedback from teachers also informed preparation for moving on to school.

Everyday routines carried social learning too. In October 2023, adults helped children practise waiting, taking turns and expressing that they wanted a turn. Lunchtime provided opportunities to use polite words or signs. These were skills rehearsed during ordinary nursery life, rather than confined to a separate activity.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were exceptionally well supported through individualised learning, a special educational needs coordinator and collaboration with external professionals, and that safeguarding was effective. The combination of personal support and adapted spaces is an important part of that dated judgement.

In October 2023, safeguarding practice included recruitment checks, ongoing staff supervision and regular testing of staff knowledge. Outings were covered by risk assessments. These are concrete elements of the arrangements assessed at that time.

Storybook Day Nursery's address is 107 Front Lane, Upminster, RM14 1XN. It opens Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. Those hours describe the opening window.

Enquiries can be sent to info@storybookdaynursery.co.uk. Current prices should come in the nursery's written quotation.

In October 2023, the nursery received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated description of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place or a particular attendance arrangement.

• The attendance and funding package. With a weekday opening window of 7am to 6pm, which booking patterns would fit your week, and how would funded hours, meals and consumables be handled in your quotation?
• Support through room changes. In October 2023, children moved with familiar adults in small groups. On a visit, discuss how that transition would be planned for your child.
• The age of the judgement. The Outstanding assessment dates to October 2023. Use a visit to explore how the signing, sensory provision and individual learning described then operate for children now.

Storybook merits consideration for families who value communication, sensory provision and continuity of relationships. Its October 2023 assessment gives substantial reasons for that interest, supported by examples of signing, book-based activities and supported room changes. The current weekday opening window may suit families arranging care around work; the educational and care detail should carry equal weight in their decision.