Bushy Tails Nursery & Pre-School

Bushy Tails has a clear practical identity: an 80-place nursery for children from six months to five years at the National Physical Laboratory on Hampton Road, Teddington. Ofsted judged it Good in August 2022, with Good grades across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The strongest evidence is rooted in what children did. In August 2022, toddlers ground herbs from the nursery allotment, preschool children made rain-cloud and volcano experiments, and babies explored paint with sponges. These were purposeful routes into language, dexterity, curiosity and independence rather than decorative extras. Older children also learned to share and cooperate, while younger children received gentle reminders, praise and encouragement.

Experiences Across Ages

In August 2022, provision for babies paired sensory activity with early communication. Babies rolled paint-covered sponges, made marks and learned signs and gestures alongside spoken words. Toddlers explored scents and textures by crushing freshly picked herbs, while older children investigated water, foam and food colouring. Each example gave children something tangible to manipulate and language to attach to what happened.

Learning and Named Experiences

The Early Years Foundation Stage frames learning through play and everyday routines across communication, physical, personal, social and wider areas of development. In August 2022, Bushy Tails made that concrete through its allotment. Children picked and crushed herbs, grew fruit and vegetables, and discussed what they would harvest. Household materials also became garden planters and wildlife areas, linking creativity with an early understanding of sustainability.

Regular community outings broadened that work beyond the setting. In August 2022, children showed curiosity, increasing independence and good progress. Two improvement points were precise: group times needed to engage quieter children more consistently, and adults needed to leave more thinking time after asking questions.

Relationships were a strength in August 2022. Staff knew children closely, built secure bonds and used gentle reminders, praise and encouragement. Parents described several channels for staying informed, including daily feedback, meetings and an online communication system. That combination gave families both everyday updates and a more structured opportunity to discuss progress, supporting continuity between home and nursery.

Communication support was practical. Staff introduced vocabulary during play, while practitioners working with babies used commentary and sign language to help children express feelings, wants and needs. Communication and language were promoted well, including for children with speech delay and special educational needs or disabilities. This matters because support sat inside ordinary play and interaction rather than being separated from the child's day.

Safeguarding arrangements were judged effective at that inspection. Staff understood signs that could indicate risk, reporting routes and risk assessment indoors and outdoors. Meals were prepared on site, sometimes using vegetables from the allotment; children also served their own lunch and poured drinks, turning mealtimes into practice in independence and conversation about healthy choices.

Bushy Tails is at the National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW. The current provider record covers ages from six months to five years and gives capacity as 80 children.

In August 2022, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. Families should request a current written quotation directly from the nursery and establish how funded hours are delivered across its current attendance patterns.

• Group participation. The August 2022 inspection found that some quieter children were not consistently drawn into group activities. Ask how group times are now planned for children who prefer to watch before joining.
• Thinking time. Inspectors also wanted adults to give children longer to process and answer questions. A visit can show how practitioners balance conversation with pauses for children to formulate ideas.
• Attendance pattern. Ask for the current session menu and minimum attendance pattern, including how full and half days can be combined.

Bushy Tails stood out in 2022 for turning an allotment, reusable materials and simple experiments into substantial learning. Sign language with babies added a thoughtful communication strand, while secure relationships and detailed parent contact strengthened care. The two improvement points were specific and important, especially for quieter children. This setting is most likely to suit families drawn to nature-based, practical learning who are prepared to establish the current booking pattern directly.