Greenacres Day Nursery, Thameside

Growing beans, borrowing books and learning to manage a coat zip give this Hampton nursery a practical character in its April 2023 account of daily life. Small tasks carried real purpose: children practised doing things for themselves, shared resources and explored the community beyond nursery.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 19 April 2023 inspection. It has capacity for 70 children, with a current age range of 0 to 48 months. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: everyday play and routines contribute to learning, alongside activities that develop language, movement and independence.

In April 2023, children worked on hand control through threading, drawing with stencils and cutting pictures. Older children added letters from their names to their artwork. These were practical steps towards writing, rather than isolated pencil exercises.

The garden connected growing with eating. In April 2023, children tended dwarf beans in grow bags and tasted produce they had grown. Tyres, bridges, steps and slides supported active play, while ball games gave children further opportunities to practise movement.

Books also travelled beyond the nursery. In April 2023, children selected stories to share at home, and staff discussed their choices with them. Visits to a local care home and participation in community events extended their experiences beyond familiar nursery routines.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that staff worked with external agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

In April 2023, staff demonstrated everyday tasks before encouraging children to attempt them themselves, including cutting fruit and fastening coats. Clear routines helped children understand what would happen next, and adults encouraged them to talk through disagreements.

Parents received updates about learning and suggestions for activities at home in April 2023. A cook supported the nursery team at that time, and growing food gave children a direct connection between the garden and mealtimes.

The address is Unit B, Kingsway Business Park, Oldfield Road, Hampton, TW12 2HD. The nursery opens throughout the year, closing on Bank Holidays; its weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm.

In April 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, separate from the current opening arrangements.

• Conversation and participation. In April 2023, some activities gave too few children opportunities to contribute their ideas. Ask how staff now organise group activities so that each child can participate and develop their language.
• Care for the youngest children. The current age range starts at 0 months, while the April 2023 account concerned children aged two to four. On a visit, ask how settling, sleep and daily care are organised for babies.

Greenacres suits families seeking year-round weekday care in Hampton who value practical independence, stories and outdoor activity. Its April 2023 account gives those priorities substance, from growing beans to choosing books for home. Participation in language activities is the specific improvement point to explore when judging how the nursery will suit your child.