Leap Day Nurseries

Water-filled vats, food preparation and babies practising their first steps give this Catford nursery a practical character in its February 2023 snapshot. Learning took shape through ordinary tasks: handling jugs, exploring ingredients and moving confidently around familiar spaces.

At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Catford Good and judged safeguarding effective. The nursery has 87 places in total, at 25 Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS; children attending in February 2023 were aged 0 to 4.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing learning and everyday care together rather than treating them as separate parts of the day.

In February 2023, garden play included filling water vats and handling jugs of different sizes. That gave preschool children practical encounters with weight and volume. Younger children explored size by cutting carrots into smaller pieces, while staff brought counting into their conversations.

Babies' activities in February 2023 included pulling up on furniture, practising walking and playing with pull-along toys alongside adults. These experiences matched their next developmental steps. Indoors and outdoors both contributed to their day.

Language also ran through everyday activity in February 2023. Staff named vegetables during babies' meals and introduced vocabulary through stories. However, quieter children needed more time and encouragement to contribute: questioning sometimes moved on before they could answer.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good learning progress and that support included children with SEND and those receiving additional funding, with the special educational needs coordinator working alongside families and other professionals. Staff observed development to identify where extra help was needed.

In February 2023, babies had close relationships with practitioners, and families received daily information alongside updates through an online application. These provided ways to connect nursery experiences with home.

Meals and snacks in February 2023 supported healthy eating, while preschool activities included discussing sugar and brushing model teeth. Children also helped prepare tables and served themselves, giving them opportunities to practise independence.

The preschool lunch routine nevertheless needed better organisation in February 2023. Some children waited too long, and the change between mealtime activities did not consistently support good hygiene. This was a practical weakness in an otherwise useful opportunity to build self-care skills.

The address is 25 Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS. In February 2023, opening hours were 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. Those were opening hours rather than a description of bookable sessions.

In February 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That dated participation should be distinguished from the arrangements a family would use for a new booking.

• Quieter children. In February 2023, adults needed to give less confident speakers more opportunity to answer and share ideas. For a child reluctant to speak in a group, patient conversational support matters.
• Preschool lunchtime. The February 2023 findings included lengthy waits and inconsistent hygiene during mealtime transitions. A smoother routine would protect both learning time and self-care practice.
• Matching care to your week. The February 2023 opening window covered a substantial working day. Which booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's week now?

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Catford merits consideration for families who value learning through practical activity. Its February 2023 examples connect early mathematics, language and physical development with tasks children can understand and enjoy. The balance is clear: a Good inspection judgement, alongside specific improvements needed for quieter speakers and preschool lunchtime routines.