Clare Gardens Nursery

Clare Gardens Nursery is a 41-place, local-authority-owned setting for children from three months to five years at 349 Westbourne Park Road, London W11 1EG. Ofsted judged it Good in March 2023, with Good judgements across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Its clearest strengths at that visit were warm key-person relationships, personalised planning and unusually careful movement between rooms. These details matter in a setting spanning babies through to preschool: children were helped to settle, then supported through each change of stage rather than simply moved on by age.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the educational framework. In parent terms, it means the nursery builds learning and development into everyday play, communication, physical activity and relationships. In March 2023, planning drew on each child's needs, interests and cultural experiences, while accessible indoor resources reflected the nursery community.

At the dated visit, the baby room supplied the most concrete example. Babies explored cornflour in a sturdy tray, first watching and then gaining confidence to participate, while practitioners encouraged simple words for expressing needs. Older children directed their own play and joined rhymes and games, although adult-led activities did not always hold their attention and stronger speakers were not consistently stretched.

Outdoor play developed gross motor skills, but adult interactions there were less effective during some large-group activity. That is a meaningful qualification to the otherwise positive account of learning.

Children formed secure relationships with key persons and were comforted quickly when unsettled. Staff shared children's needs and achievements with parents. Practitioners also tailored planning and managed room changes to support each child's development.

Ofsted found safeguarding arrangements effective at its March 2023 visit. Staff understood how to raise concerns, received regular training, assessed hazards and supervised children well. Breakfast and lunch were described as healthy, with children choosing and serving food to build independence.

The setting has capacity for 41 children aged three months to five years. Families should request a current nursery-specific quotation directly.

Outdoor interaction. In March 2023, staff were asked to improve interactions during large-group outdoor play. Families may want to discuss what has changed in outdoor practice since then.

Older children's challenge. The March 2023 findings also called for some adult-led activities to be organised more effectively and language extended further for confident children. Parents of preschool children may wish to explore how practitioners now sustain attention and deepen vocabulary.

Attendance arrangements. Families considering the setting should establish which attendance pattern can be contracted for their child.

The March 2023 picture was of children who felt secure, babies receiving attentive interaction and room changes handled with care. It suits families who value continuity from babyhood to preschool and want personalised planning to follow their child's development. The two improvement points are specific and worth testing at a visit: the quality of adult interaction outdoors and the level of challenge for older, confident children.