Sunnyside Day Care

A low balance beam, seed planting and stories brought to life with puppets give Sunnyside Day Care a recognisable early-years character. In February 2024, these experiences combined physical exploration with opportunities to talk, listen and make choices.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. Sunnyside operates at Winstonway Academy in Ilford, accepting children from 3 to 60 months. It has 54 places in total.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday experiences help children develop communication, movement and independence.

In February 2024, babies could choose accessible toys and investigate interactive resources by pushing, pulling and pressing. Older children explored dough, soil and paint. These were practical opportunities to discover how materials behave, rather than simply watch an adult demonstrate.

The garden extended that exploration in February 2024. Children planted seeds, practised balancing on a low beam and made marks outdoors with chalk and brushes. Different brush sizes, alongside crayons, gave children ways to experiment with the marks they could produce. These experiences brought movement and early expression into the same outdoor space. Handling simple tools also gave children practical tasks in which to exercise physical control.

Indoors, puppets helped older children talk about feelings, while songs and stories gave them opportunities to participate together. Singing a favourite song to other children made the group activity a chance to contribute, as well as listen. For babies, musical instruments and interactive toys introduced gentle sounds alongside the physical exploration of resources. The experiences therefore differed by developmental stage: babies investigated through movement and sound, while older children also practised putting emotions into words. That gives parents a concrete picture of the learning observed, rather than a list of curriculum headings.

There were two important limitations. Assessments needed to guide individual learning more precisely, and some children moved between activities before gaining their full learning benefit. Sustaining attention was a development priority.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children formed secure relationships with staff and made steady developmental progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those receiving additional funding.

In February 2024, reassurance and praise supported children's confidence. Staff used visual resources to explain toothbrushing and modelled hygiene routines, connecting healthy habits with activities children could understand.

In February 2024, partnerships with parents included practical support around speech, toilet training and dummy use. Managers knew about local support services, helping families connect nursery experiences with routines at home. These are everyday concerns with consequences across both settings: advice about communication or toilet training can be relevant during nursery hours and at home. Reading spaces had also been developed with specialist input to encourage communication, giving books a physical place within the learning environment.

Social routines were part of care too. During the same inspection, older children practised sharing and waiting for a turn. Staff reminded them to treat others kindly, move safely inside and take care during play. These reminders made expectations concrete, connecting behaviour with what children were doing rather than leaving rules as abstract instructions.

Behind these daily interactions, the manager held staff supervision and arranged continuing professional development. Leaders also gathered views from children, parents and staff when evaluating the provision. This gave families a route into discussion about nursery practice, alongside the practical support around their child's routines.

The address is Winstonway Academy, Winstonway, Ilford, IG1 2WS. Opening hours are 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In February 2024, the nursery received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. This is a dated account of its funding participation.

Using the academy site does not guarantee a Reception place; families seeking a state-school place still apply through the local authority.

• Individual learning. February 2024 assessment practice did not consistently translate into sufficiently precise next steps. During a visit, ask how staff now choose activities for an individual child.
• Staying engaged. Some children lost interest in activities in February 2024. Ask how practitioners adapt experiences to help children concentrate for longer.
• Attendance and costs. The year-round opening window extends from 7am to 7pm. What booking patterns, funded-hours arrangements and meal or consumables charges would apply to your child?

Sunnyside merits consideration for families seeking care across the year alongside practical, play-based learning. Its February 2024 strengths included relationships, communication and outdoor exploration. The decision hinges on how well individual planning and sustained engagement have developed since then.