The Young Ones

Songs, story adventures and daffodil painting give The Young Ones a recognisable character in its March 2023 account of daily life. This Uxbridge nursery has capacity for 38 children, with an accepted age range of 9 to 60 months.

At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. The strongest practical examples involved children attempting everyday tasks themselves, although adults sometimes needed to leave more space for children’s own ideas.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care: play and everyday experiences help build language, practical skills and relationships.

In March 2023, We're Going on a Bear Hunt brought storytelling together with movement and language about position. Children imagined crossing a river, while expressive reading and repeated phrases encouraged them to join in. A familiar story became something children could act out.

Daffodils supplied another route into learning that month. Older children compared stalk lengths, explored how petals felt and learnt words for parts of a flower. Babies experimented with paint using flowers and their hands; sponges offered an alternative for those reluctant to touch it. Singing also accompanied tidying and movement activities.

Independence had a practical place in the March 2023 day. Older children tackled coats and shoes before garden play and helped themselves to lunch. However, adults sometimes steered activities too closely, reducing children’s chances to experiment and sustain their interest.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that babies settled with comfort from familiar adults, children received help to recognise and express emotions, and the special educational needs coordinator supported families with referrals and worked with outside professionals. These examples connect emotional care with practical help for families needing additional support.

In March 2023, books helped babies explore feelings, while preschool children were encouraged to talk about emotions and seek comfort. Staff also guided younger children through taking turns, making social expectations understandable during play.

A stay-and-play event marked Mother’s Day that month. It gave parents time alongside their children and opportunities to speak with staff, bringing family contact into the nursery day.

The address is 2 Gatting Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1ES. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across 48 weeks of the year, with four weeks of closure. That calendar matters when planning childcare alongside work and annual leave.

In March 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation detail, rather than a basis for assuming a particular funded attendance arrangement today.

• Children’s own choices. In March 2023, some activities were too closely directed by adults. During a visit, how do practitioners now give babies and older children time to explore their own ideas?
• Annual closures. Four weeks of closure form part of the attendance calendar. Families needing continuous care will need to plan around those breaks.

The Young Ones suits families seeking care within a weekday opening window and those who value stories, singing and practical independence. Its March 2023 examples give those priorities substance. The balance between adult guidance and children’s own exploration deserves attention when choosing it.