Hornsey Day Nursery and Preschool

High ceilings, natural light and two spaces for different stages of babyhood give the Hornsey Road site its character. Hornsey Day Nursery and Preschool separates its youngest children between a room for babies who are not yet confidently walking and another for pre-toddlers. That makes developmental stage an important part of the room arrangement.

At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good overall and found safeguarding effective. The nursery has capacity for 25 children, with a current age range of 3 to 36 months. This address houses the baby provision; the nursery's toddler and preschool provision operates at a separate site and receives a separate inspection.

Rooms and Ages

The two baby spaces have tall ceilings and plenty of daylight, with furniture and resources selected for the children using them. Play materials sit within children's reach, supporting exploration and choice. For families, the useful distinction is between the room for early walkers or pre-walkers and the pre-toddler room, rather than treating the whole baby provision as one undifferentiated space.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the required framework here: children encounter stories, singing, play and activities with their key person, with time for movement and rest. The daily timetable combines group experiences with free play, so children have opportunities both to join an activity and to explore independently. The routine can change to reflect the needs of the group on a particular day.

In September 2023, sensory exploration included handling fresh herbs in pretend play, investigating their scent and using them in mixtures. Younger children also played with moving scarves. These are concrete examples of learning through touch, smell and movement, giving parents a clearer picture of the day than a curriculum label alone.

Songs accompanied changes between activities in September 2023, including preparation for meals and tidying. Children had recently explored Rosh Hashanah, and singing included a Ukrainian song. Those examples brought cultural experiences into ordinary nursery life, through something young children could hear and join.

Language work deserves attention. At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified a need to adapt communication more closely to individual children's understanding, including allowing sufficient time for them to process questions and answer. Storytelling and conversation were present, but the pace of adult interaction was the improvement point.

Outdoor and Community Life

Baby outings include a walk and a stop at a nearby park or garden, subject to the weather and children's ages. This gives outdoor exploration a place in the routine. The baby site's outings should be considered separately from the garden used by children at the other address.

In September 2023, there was no outdoor space on this site, and children visited a local park in groups, walking or travelling in buggies. Staff drew attention to things along the route, then checked the park before play. Activities included bubbles, watering plants, a parachute game and using a swing, connecting outdoor movement with conversation and exploration.

Relationships and Communication

A key worker is allocated shortly after a child starts. Daily spoken updates cover what the child has done, their mood and new achievements, although the person giving that feedback may be another member of staff. This gives parents a regular account of the day while keeping responsibility for the child's learning attached to an identified practitioner.

In September 2023, staff comforted children who were upset at separation, using closeness or a story to help them settle. Progress updates included termly reports as well as conversations at collection. These dated examples show how relationships and communication worked at that point.

Book time invites parents to read to children occasionally, giving families a practical way to participate. Father and child days take place annually, with activities planned jointly by carers and participating parents. Both initiatives make family involvement something parents can do, rather than simply receive updates about.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Sleep is adjusted to a child's age, needs and preferences; young babies can sleep more frequently as required. The timetable also makes room for quiet activity, so the day accommodates different needs for rest.

Staff training covers child protection, safeguarding, health and safety, and paediatric first aid. In September 2023, safeguarding practice included supervision throughout the day, checks for park visits and weekly questions to refresh staff knowledge. Those are dated arrangements, alongside the inspection judgement above.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with a menu rotating over four weeks. The nursery's dietary policy allows adjustments for allergies, intolerances and families' cultural or lifestyle choices.

Sessions and Attendance

The baby site is at 504A Hornsey Road, London N19 3QW. Opening hours run from 8am until 6pm on weekdays, with bank holidays and a two-week Christmas closure excluded.

Full-day bookings run from 8am to 6pm in three fixed patterns: Monday to Friday, Monday to Wednesday, or Thursday and Friday. The choice therefore includes a five-day week and two shorter weekly arrangements, each using the same daily hours. Families whose working week follows one of those blocks have a clear pattern to plan around.

Registration involves a non-refundable registration charge. A place is held only once the childcare contract is completed and the relevant deposit paid; submitting the registration form alone does not create a contract. If the nursery cannot match a family's requirements, it offers its waiting-list route. These steps matter when arranging a start date around work or other childcare.

Funding and Paid Extras

Local-authority funding is accepted from the term after a child turns nine months. Requests for funded-only provision of 15 or 30 hours go directly to the nursery, rather than through the standard registration form. Fully funded placements carry no additional charges for meals or consumables, so those items do not attract an extra payment under that arrangement.

Private fees vary with the number of days booked, and payment routes include bank transfer and Tax-Free Childcare. The fees and registration page explains the application process and funded-only enquiry route. For current prices, ask the nursery for a quotation.

• The baby address matters. Hornsey Road houses the baby provision, while toddler and preschool care uses a separately inspected site. During a visit, discuss how a move between the two would work for your child.
• Fixed weekly blocks. Full days are booked across the whole working week, Monday to Wednesday, or Thursday and Friday. Match those blocks against the days your family actually needs before paying the registration charge.
• Time to answer. The September 2023 communication improvement concerned adapting adult interaction to children's understanding. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how practitioners allow a baby or toddler time to respond.
• Dietary adjustments. The menu can accommodate allergies and intolerances. Families affected by these should confirm the current arrangements for their child's specific needs.

Hornsey Road suits families seeking baby care organised around developmental stage, with accessible play resources, daily verbal feedback and outdoor outings. Its fixed attendance blocks serve both families needing a full working week and those needing Monday-to-Wednesday or Thursday-and-Friday care.

The September 2023 Good judgement provides a dated quality reference, while the communication improvement gives parents a useful point to explore. The strongest practical fit is with families whose weekly needs align with the booking blocks and who value a key worker, individual sleep arrangements and opportunities to join nursery life through storytelling.