Play & Learn Nursery

Crates and planks for balancing, books chosen independently and learning packs borrowed for home give Play & Learn Nursery a practical, play-led character in its July 2025 account. The emphasis reaches beyond activities organised by adults: children also practise doing things for themselves.

At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted graded the nursery Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. Based at 2 Beverley Road in Middlesbrough, TS4 3LQ, it has capacity for 57 children aged 2 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care, with play providing opportunities to practise language, movement and everyday skills. In July 2025, activities followed children's interests: a rhyme about opposites led into discussion about size and speed, supported by comparisons between moving objects.

Language also developed through small-world play. Children used vocabulary including omnivore and aquarium, giving their conversations more precision. Books were accessible for children to choose themselves, while Five Little Ducks combined a number song with props to make its meaning easier to follow.

Outdoor balancing on crates and planks gave children opportunities to test coordination and manage physical challenges. These were concrete experiences rather than learning confined to group discussions.

Teaching had two weaknesses in July 2025. Staff working beyond their usual room did not consistently know each child's next learning priorities, and some adult-led activities lacked a clear educational purpose. Both matter: an enjoyable activity needs interactions that extend the individual child's understanding.

At the July 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children were emotionally secure in their relationships with staff, and that children with SEND benefited from prompt referrals, adjusted routines and targeted help that supported their progress. Support was connected to individual needs rather than a single approach for everyone.

In July 2025, children practised independence by serving snacks, putting resources away and brushing their teeth. Staff explained safety expectations calmly, including why running indoors could lead to injury.

Parents could borrow learning packs covering the curriculum, providing a concrete link between nursery activities and home. Staff supervision and team meetings created opportunities to discuss children's needs, although the sharing of learning priorities still needed improvement.

Meals and snacks were cooked on the premises in July 2025, and conversations about foods such as fruit helped connect eating with healthy choices.

The address is 2 Beverley Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3LQ. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas; full-day attendance is offered.

In July 2025, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged nine months to four years. This is a dated account of its funding provision, rather than a guarantee of an individual child's entitlement.

• Continuity between rooms. Sharing children's learning priorities across the team needed improvement in July 2025. Ask how staff covering another room now access and use those priorities.
• Purposeful adult-led activities. Some activities lacked clear learning intentions in July 2025. A visit can explore how practitioners choose an activity's purpose and adapt their interactions.
• Attendance and charges. For a full-day arrangement, request a written quotation covering the intended attendance, funded hours, meals and consumables.

Play & Learn Nursery suits families seeking full-day attendance and an emphasis on practical independence. Its July 2025 account gives substance to that approach through self-care routines, language-rich play and home learning packs. The decision point is how consistently staff now connect those experiences to each child's next learning priorities.