Portobello Day Care Nursery

Ten places make Portobello Day Care Nursery a small setting, with a current age range of 24 to 60 months. At its October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective. In October 2023, practical play included water, dough and shape discovery.

The address is 244 Acklam Road, London W10 5YG. For parents, the small overall capacity is a useful starting point, though it is not a measure of how many children share an activity.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning and care, with play supporting language, physical skills and emotional development. In October 2023, water activities introduced ideas about weight and quantity, while dough became pretend food and an opportunity to practise hand movements. Searching through rice and glitter brought shape, size and colour into the same activity.

Books and singing also supported vocabulary that month. The limitation was how adults sometimes directed the exchange: children needed more scope to invent their own play and longer pauses before adults answered questions for them. These are meaningful distinctions for a parent choosing between adult direction and children's own exploration.

Ramadan and Christmas featured in October 2023's account of learning about different lives, with dressing up and shared food helping make those discussions tangible. Physical activity included ball throwing and wheeled toys, giving children opportunities to practise coordination.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found positive support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, help for those learning English as an additional language, and good progress from children's starting points. Early identification and work with other professionals were part of that support.

In October 2023, staff gathered information about children's interests and development when they joined, then used it to shape activities. Parents received regular updates about achievements. Conversations about feelings and gentle reminders about behaviour helped connect emotional learning with everyday interactions.

Healthy snacks were provided that month. Daily checks covered both outdoor and indoor spaces, while staff understood how to report concerns about a child's welfare.

Opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures at Christmas and on bank holidays. The nursery is at 244 Acklam Road, London W10 5YG.

In October 2023, it received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position rather than a promise about an individual child's entitlement.

• Children's initiative. In October 2023, adult direction sometimes curtailed imaginative play, and questions were sometimes answered before children could respond. These findings matter if independent thinking is a priority.
• Staff development. The October 2023 improvement priorities included further curriculum training. This concerned how deeply staff understood and developed learning experiences.
• Attendance pattern. Opening hours span the working day. Which booking pattern would fit your family's routine?

Portobello suits families seeking a small setting for children aged 24 to 60 months, with play-based learning and weekday opening across the year. The October 2023 account gives concrete substance to that choice, alongside clear priorities for more child-led play, thoughtful conversation and staff development.