Alphabets Nursery

In October 2022, small acts of independence shaped daily life at Alphabets Nursery: children served themselves breakfast, toddlers washed their own hands and older children helped themselves to drinks. At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found that carefully sequenced learning prepared children for their next stage.

Based at 15 York Avenue, Chatham, ME5 9EP, Alphabets accepts children aged 3 to 59 months. It opens throughout the year, with bank holiday closures. The inspection gives a detailed picture of children's experiences in October 2022, rather than a description of today's daily routines.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and everyday routines all contribute to learning. In October 2022, resources and activities changed with children's interests, giving them opportunities to choose and develop their own play.

Babies explored natural materials and investigated containers. Staff placed resources to encourage them to move towards a crawling position, connecting exploration with physical development. Older children drew on familiar experiences in imaginative play, including treating staff as patients.

Family photographs prompted conversations about children's lives in October 2022. Children brought photographs to share and discuss, while the role play office area let them recreate parents working from home. This made differences between families something children could explore through conversation and play.

Persistence received practical attention too. Staff talked through their own attempts when an activity went wrong, showing children that trying again was part of learning.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding arrangements and prompt identification of special educational needs and/or disabilities, with support coordinated by the SENCo helping children make exceptional progress.

In October 2022, parents could discuss development with their child's key person and SENCo. Staff extended vocabulary through everyday exchanges, giving children opportunities to develop vocabulary through everyday conversation.

Accessible sinks helped toddlers manage handwashing, while the nose blowing and hydration station supported older children's self-care. At breakfast, children selected and served food themselves. These October 2022 examples show how practical independence was built into routines.

Links with local schools supported children's emotional preparation for moving on in October 2022. Staff also planned learning with that transition in mind.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery's address is 15 York Avenue, Chatham, ME5 9EP, and it opens all year except bank holidays.

In October 2022, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of participation, so families considering funded attendance should use the funding question below when discussing their plans.

• Inspection timing. The Outstanding judgement dates to October 2022. On a visit, discuss how the examples of independent self-care and child-led play translate into current routines.
• Funded attendance. Funding supported children aged two, three and four in October 2022. Which entitlements and attendance patterns can your child use, and how are meals and consumables handled?

Alphabets suits families seeking weekday childcare across the year, with an inspection-era emphasis on independence, conversation and imaginative play. Its October 2022 examples are concrete: children managed everyday tasks, shared family experiences and practised persistence with staff. The dated judgement is a strong starting point for a visit centred on how those experiences work today.