St Mary's Day Nursery

In May 2024, water-and-foam play, garden obstacle courses and visits to a Sikh temple gave St Mary's Day Nursery a recognisable character: everyday activities became opportunities to practise practical skills and understand other people. Its setting is Siri Guru Ravidass Temple in Strood, Rochester, and it has capacity for 40 children aged 0 to 60 months.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made good progress. The main improvement concerned giving parents clearer guidance about learning at home.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play providing opportunities to practise communication, movement and social skills.

In May 2024, independence, emotional development and healthy habits shaped the curriculum. Staff extended children's ideas during water-and-foam play by introducing pretend food when they decided to make soup. This connected imaginative play with conversation about vegetables and fruit, rather than treating language as a separate exercise.

Mathematical language also featured in play that month: children counted resources and explored comparisons between quantities. Familiar stories encouraged them to join in with actions and repeated phrases. Pretend doctors' appointments gave pencil marks a purpose.

Outside, May 2024 activities included hopscotch, a trampoline and garden obstacle courses, giving children different ways to practise balance and movement. Visits to a local Sikh temple introduced religious and cultural differences through a real community setting.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found effective SEND support, with the special educational needs coordinator working with families, outside agencies and practitioners on referrals and children's next learning steps. Preparation for school took account of individual needs.

Settling visits in May 2024 were adapted to children and parents. Staff learnt useful words from families whose children spoke another home language, giving them familiar language during the transition into nursery. Praise, predictable routines and support with sharing helped children participate together.

Communication was the weaker point that month. Parents received updates about activities and care, but needed more precise explanations of what their children were working towards and how to support that learning at home. For families wanting a close connection between nursery and home learning, this is the key issue to explore.

The address is Siri Guru Ravidass Temple, Vicarage Road, Strood, Rochester, ME2 4DG. Opening hours are 07:45 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, with an all-year opening schedule.

In May 2024, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of its funding participation.

• Learning updates. The May 2024 improvement concerned guidance for parents. During a visit, ask to see how a child's next learning steps are explained and linked to activities at home.
• Your attendance pattern. The all-year opening window runs from 07:45 to 18:00 on weekdays. Which booked sessions and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's routine?

St Mary's suits families seeking care across the year. For parents who value practical independence, conversation and physical activity, the May 2024 inspection offered a positive picture of play-based learning and individual settling arrangements. Clearer communication about learning at home remains the most useful point for parents to examine.