Garden House Nursery and Pre-School Worcester Park

Coats, shoes and lunch tables give this nursery's learning a practical shape. In March 2024, children practised getting ready for outdoor play, while older children helped prepare for meals and cleared away their play. Everyday tasks became opportunities to build independence.

At its 28 March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised the positive impact of language teaching for children learning English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Garden House Nursery and Pre-School Worcester Park cares for children aged 3 to 60 months at 52 Lynwood Drive.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: education and everyday wellbeing belong together. In March 2024, songs, stories and sensory activities gave children opportunities to hear and practise language. Preschool staff introduced descriptive and action words during sensory play, connecting vocabulary with what children were doing.

Numbers also belonged to ordinary experiences. That March, children counted a spider's legs in the garden and plates while preparing for lunch. Outdoor activities included painting, balancing and imaginative play, giving children different ways to explore and move.

Group teaching was less consistent. In March 2024, some toddlers and preschool children were not drawn into group activities, reducing what they gained from them. Improving the planning and delivery of these sessions was the required next step.

In March 2024, staff offered cuddles, helped children express emotions and used books and toys to explain behaviour. Advance explanations of changes to routines helped children understand what would happen next. These were concrete ways of making the day more understandable for young children.

Communication extended beyond daily activities. That March, families received guidance about toilet training and medication procedures; staff also worked with speech and language therapists and contacted teachers to prepare older children for school. Baby-room staff had received training on monitoring sleeping children. Safety checks of play spaces, responses to accidents and handwashing teaching formed part of daily care.

The address is 52 Lynwood Drive, Worcester Park, KT4 7AB. The nursery operates throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas.

In March 2024, funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four. That dated provision should be kept separate from a family's present funding and attendance arrangements.

• Group participation. Some toddlers and preschool children missed part of the benefit of group activities in March 2024. During a visit, ask how staff now adapt these sessions to involve children with different interests.
• Funding and attendance. Funded provision covered two-, three- and four-year-olds in March 2024. What would your child's current funded and paid attendance arrangement include, including meals and consumables?

This nursery merits consideration for families who value practical independence, language activities and support with everyday routines. Its March 2024 assessment provides a positive foundation, balanced by a specific weakness in group teaching. The clearest strengths were in ordinary interactions: helping children express themselves, tackle manageable tasks and prepare for their next stage.