Pimlico Nursery

Pictures for choosing activities, dough for practising cutlery skills and a ladder to tackle: Pimlico Nursery's November 2023 daily life centred on children doing things for themselves. Small acts of independence mattered, from managing a coat to persevering with a physical challenge.

At its 28 November 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding overall. It has capacity for 16 children at Westminster Adult Education Service on Lupus Street, Pimlico. The children attending in November 2023 were aged one to three; that is an inspection-time age range.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its November 2023 practice included communication, practical skills and learning to manage feelings. Staff adapted activities to children's interests and developmental needs.

Cutlery practice became a dough-cutting activity for younger children. Children also attempted the ladder leading to a slide, keeping going when the task proved difficult. These examples show how practical play gave children opportunities to practise skills and tackle challenges.

In November 2023, outings took children beyond the nursery to a farm, gardens, theatre and library. These were regular outings, with experiences beyond the setting forming part of the curriculum. Back in the nursery, pictures and gestures gave children ways to communicate while their speech or English developed. Choosing an activity did not depend solely on saying its name.

At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support exceptional, with individual plans, collaboration with families and professionals, and rapid progress towards children's own goals.

In November 2023, staff helped children recognise feelings through facial expressions, images and words. Disagreements about toys became opportunities to explain sadness and work towards a solution, including offering another toy. Adults used calm encouragement while children practised personal-care tasks themselves.

Support extended to parents. During November 2023, staff offered advice about diet and dental health and helped families reach specialist local services. Books and activities to use at home, including a scavenger hunt outdoors, connected nursery learning with family time. Staff also had opportunities for further study and professional development.

The address is Westminster Adult Education Service, Lupus Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 3AT.

In November 2023, opening hours were 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. At that point, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements describe its operation at that date.

• Attendance planning. The November 2023 arrangement was term-time opening, with children aged one to three attending. What current age range and attendance arrangements would apply to your child?
• Communication in practice. In November 2023, pictures and gestures supported children developing speech or learning English. A visit can explore how those methods would fit your child's ways of expressing choices and feelings.

Pimlico Nursery merits consideration for families who value practical independence and several ways for children to express themselves. Its November 2023 practice joined everyday skills with outings and support for learning at home. The Outstanding judgement gives that account weight, while the dated term-time arrangements remain an important consideration for families planning childcare around the year.