Fennies Teddington, Waldegrave Road

An art studio gave creative learning a concrete setting at Fennies Teddington, Waldegrave Road in February 2023. Children made jewellery using modelling materials, combining imaginative work with practice in small hand movements. Creativity had a practical purpose.

At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. The important qualifications to that judgement concerned children’s freedom to direct their play and opportunities to use their home languages. Both deserve attention alongside the positive findings.

The nursery accepts children aged 3 to 60 months and has 102 places in total. It opens on weekdays from 7am to 6pm, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and the Christmas period.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care: in everyday terms, play and routines support communication, movement and growing independence. In February 2023, learning included counting during songs, measuring ingredients for play dough and creative work in an art studio. These examples show how early mathematics and physical skills can develop through activities children can handle and explore.

Different stages had different emphases in February 2023. Babies investigated foam, sand and bubbles; toddlers made collages; preschool children practised cutting, sorting and making marks. Creative activity was tangible. Making jewellery in the art studio involved manipulating modelling materials, giving small hand movements a purpose beyond an isolated exercise.

Books and conversation also featured in February 2023, alongside opportunities to learn Spanish and French. However, children learning English as an additional language had fewer chances to hear and use their own home language. Learning another language and supporting a child’s existing language are separate questions; the latter was an area requiring more attention.

Adult direction was another limitation in February 2023. Activities were predominantly led by staff, and planning did not consistently extend children’s own interests. For parents who value sustained, self-directed exploration, this is a useful distinction: a busy activity programme does not by itself establish how much influence children have over what happens next.

Outdoor and Community Life

In February 2023, outings took children to greengrocers, libraries and parks, with road safety discussed along the way. These trips connected learning about personal safety with places children used in their local community.

Relationships and Communication

In February 2023, parents received information about their children’s care and learning and were invited to open mornings and to contribute their skills. This gave families opportunities both to follow their child’s development and to participate in nursery life.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made good progress, supported by work with other professionals and early intervention. These are dated judgements, rather than assurances about present practice.

In February 2023, children formed close relationships with their key person and other staff, and practical independence appeared in ordinary routines: babies cleaned their hands, while older children poured drinks and helped serve and clear meals. Such examples matter because independence involves manageable responsibilities, not simply completing an adult-designed task.

Meals in February 2023 included discussion of how food supports health, and staff worked together to accommodate dietary requirements. Professional physical education sessions also formed part of children’s activity at that time.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 111 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, TW11 8LL. Opening hours run from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year and closes for bank holidays and the Christmas period, so those breaks need to sit within a family’s childcare planning.

Funding and Paid Extras

In February 2023, the nursery received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. That describes participation at the inspection date; it does not establish a family’s present eligibility or entitlement.

• Children directing their play. In February 2023, activities were largely adult-led and children’s interests were not consistently developed further. During a visit, ask how a child’s chosen activity now shapes planning and what opportunities allow that play to continue.
• Home languages. February 2023 findings identified fewer opportunities for children learning English as an additional language to use their home language. Families raising multilingual children should ask how their child’s familiar words and language are incorporated into daily play.
• Relationships during settling. In February 2023, children settled quickly and built close relationships with their key person and other staff. During a visit, ask how the settling plan would help your child build those relationships.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window spans 7am to 6pm. Which booking pattern would fit your household, and how would funded hours, meals and non-food consumables be treated in the written quotation?

Fennies Teddington, Waldegrave Road merits consideration by families drawn to the creative activities, practical independence and parent involvement described in February 2023. Its weekday opening hours also suit households needing care across the working day.

The February 2023 Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, with meaningful qualifications. Children’s influence over play and support for home languages are the decision points to weigh alongside that dated account of learning and care.