The Mall Nursery and Creche

A rooftop garden above a shopping centre gives The Mall Nursery and Creche an unusual backdrop to early learning. In November 2021, children used the garden for planting, physical play and exploring natural materials, while everyday objects indoors became starting points for conversation and discovery.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 10 November 2021 inspection. It has 80 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months. The inspection-time picture combines practical independence with language-rich play, alongside two clear areas for development: staff teaching skills and older children's understanding of behaviour.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the November 2021 examples show how play brought language, movement and everyday understanding together. Songs and stories introduced vocabulary; rhymes drew older children's attention to sounds, and block-building gave staff opportunities to talk about height.

Sensory exploration made familiar objects interesting. In November 2021, children compared garlic with an onion through touch and smell, while dough manipulation exercised their hands. These were concrete ways to connect conversation with something children could handle.

The rooftop garden extended that learning outdoors. In November 2021, children moved wheelbarrows, swept with brooms and stretched to draw with chalk on a wall-mounted board. Seed planting also prompted conversations about food and healthy eating. Children practised staying with their group through the shopping centre and using stair handrails on the way to the garden.

At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effective, and good progress in communication and language. Additional funding was selected around children's and families' needs, including a performance by a hired pantomime company.

In November 2021, key people spent time with their children through care routines and outdoor activities in key groups. Parents received updates, and staff joined families at local library story and rhyme sessions. Communication therefore included shared experiences as well as information about the nursery day.

Independence was practised in manageable steps that November: children cut snacks, poured drinks and worked on recognising or putting on coats. These tasks gave them opportunities to take an active part in their own care.

The address is Unit 35, The Mall Shopping Centre, Luton, LU1 2TW. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In November 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Teaching development. In November 2021, staff development needed sharper direction to extend teaching skills. Ask how training now shapes children's activities.
• Understanding behaviour. In November 2021, older children needed more help to connect their actions with their effect on others. Discuss how staff explain those consequences today.
• Attendance planning. The weekday opening window runs from 8am to 5.30pm. Which booking patterns and funded arrangements would fit your family's week?

For families seeking weekday childcare in Luton's shopping centre, this is a setting with an engaging inspection-time account of practical learning. The rooftop garden, sensory activities and shared library experiences give that account substance. Its Good judgement dates to November 2021; the teaching and behaviour priorities are useful starting points for assessing how care has developed since then.