Norto5 Kidz Academy, Lindfield

Fruit mixing, pine cones and a pet caterpillar give Norto5 Kidz Academy, Lindfield's October 2023 learning experiences a recognisable character. These were hands-on opportunities to talk, investigate and care for living things.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 6 October 2023 inspection, finding that children made good progress and safeguarding was effective. That is a dated judgement. The nursery accepts children from birth to five years and is based at The Pavilion, Backwoods Lane, Lindfield.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play and routines contribute to learning rather than sitting apart from it. In October 2023, planning took account of what each child needed to learn next, including gaps in their learning.

Mixing fruit juices gave children ingredients to discuss and a shared task to enjoy. Exploring how pine cones respond to weather encouraged questions about change, while watching a caterpillar prompted conversations about its development into a butterfly. The detail matters: practical experiences supplied something concrete for children to think and talk about.

In October 2023, staff regularly shared stories with children. Children also took turns caring for the pet caterpillar and helped locate friends' water bottles, bringing cooperation into ordinary routines.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that individual needs, including SEND, were supported effectively and that the key person arrangements helped staff understand children's next learning steps. This connected individual care with planning, rather than treating them as separate tasks.

In October 2023, staff used words from children's home languages to help children learning English settle. Conversations gave children space to express themselves, and staff acknowledged tasks children completed independently. Fencing was among the physical security measures in place at that time.

Communication extended beyond progress updates. In October 2023, parental requests for help with learning at home led to individual packs targeting skills for school. Staff also passed information to nearby schools to support the move onward. These were practical ways to connect nursery learning with home and the next stage.

The address is The Pavilion, Backwoods Lane, Lindfield, RH16 2EB. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year. This gives families a clear operating window when considering how care fits around work.

In October 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That participation belongs to the inspection date.

• Independence during meals. In October 2023, adults sometimes poured drinks or served food that children could manage themselves. More consistent opportunities to practise self-care were the improvement priority, making everyday independence a useful point to explore during a visit.
• Matching care to your week. The nursery opens throughout the year, from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. Which booking pattern and funding arrangements would fit your child's age and your working week?

Norto5 Kidz Academy, Lindfield suits families who value practical play, conversation and links between home learning and preparation for school. Its October 2023 examples make that educational character tangible, while the improvement priority gives parents a specific issue to weigh: how consistently children are encouraged to do everyday tasks themselves.