Cosy Cottage Daycare

Sensory play gives Cosy Cottage Daycare much of its character: oats for babies to investigate, cornflour for older children to experiment with, and toy animals to rescue from the mixture. These were examples from May 2025, combining exploration with practical problems children could solve.

At its May 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found that children made good progress. In Carshalton, the setting has capacity for 22 children aged 12 to 60 months. That is the whole nursery's capacity, rather than a room or group size.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and practical skills into the nursery day. In May 2025, activities included matching numbers on bean bags and singing counting songs, giving children different ways to practise early mathematics.

Physical play included frames to climb across, stepping stones for balancing and wheeled toys to steer. Language activities connected words with experience: staff introduced vocabulary about textures, named familiar objects for babies and allowed children time to answer questions. Action songs and rhymes added another route into language.

There were limits to the group activities. In May 2025, some stories were too long for children aged two and three, whose attention drifted. Teaching about emotions also needed greater breadth, beyond the feelings already introduced. These are relevant considerations for families weighing the experience of younger toddlers.

At the May 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and staff able to seek specialist support for children with SEND, working with families and professionals. In that month, staff used observations to identify learning gaps and adapted activities to children's interests and existing skills.

Babies' familiar home routines informed their care. Parents received progress updates through different forms of communication, including meetings, and worked with staff on next steps such as language development. This made the connection between home and nursery a practical part of children's learning.

Independence featured in everyday tasks: in May 2025, children practised dressing for outdoor play, pouring drinks and putting toys away; younger children received help to feed themselves. Staff used board games to practise sharing and turn-taking. Leaders also observed staff in group rooms, gave feedback and held regular discussions about practice; training in babies' development had informed their work.

The address is 63 Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, SM5 2EF. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with operation across the year and closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In May 2025, the nursery provided government-funded childcare.

• Younger toddlers in group activities. In May 2025, longer stories did not consistently suit two- and three-year-olds. During a visit, explore how group activities are now adapted for this age group.
• Learning about feelings. In May 2025, teaching covered too narrow a selection of emotions. Ask how children now learn to recognise and discuss different feelings.
• Attendance and costs. The opening window runs from 8am to 6pm. Ask which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your week, and request a current written quotation covering meals and consumables.

Cosy Cottage Daycare merits consideration for families seeking a small setting in Carshalton. Practical play and close communication between staff and families in May 2025 will appeal to parents who value both. Its May 2025 picture included sensory exploration, everyday independence and attentive baby care. Families with younger toddlers should weigh those strengths alongside the specific improvements needed in group activities and emotional learning.