Lovacott Nursery

In November 2022, speaking, singing and signing gave Lovacott Nursery its clearest character. At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, with communication a strength of the education children received. New vocabulary was introduced through a word wall, giving children more ways to express their ideas.

Based in the Village Hall Annexe in Lovacott, Newton Tracey, the nursery has 30 places in total for children aged 6 to 60 months. Its inspection account provides useful examples of daily learning, alongside two practical areas for improvement.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the November 2022 activities connected language, counting and problem-solving with play. Younger children counted flour spoonfuls while making play dough; older children compared their toes with a dinosaur's. These were concrete ways to explore numbers rather than isolated counting exercises.

In November 2022, children also tested whether objects would sink or float. Staff prompted them to recall earlier experiments and allowed thinking time before answers. Children's interests shaped activities, with individual learning steps arranged to build on existing skills.

Music and stories brought children together, although some story discussions were beyond the youngest children's understanding. Adapting group activities was an improvement priority. In the garden, exercise sessions and football penalty practice connected movement with learning about the body.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children making good progress across their learning. Safety arrangements included daily checks, assessment of risks and monitoring movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.

In November 2022, staff used stories to help children recognise feelings, while praise reinforced kindness, sharing and taking turns. Encouragement also supported independence, including younger children's eating skills. Fruit and healthy drinks featured at snack time.

Communication with parents supported continuity of care in November 2022. Staff training also addressed teaching practice, including ways to bring mathematics into everyday activities; making the most of learning opportunities consistently across the team remained an improvement priority.

The address is Lovacott Nursery, Village Hall Annexe, Lovacott, Newton Tracey, EX31 3QH. Opening hours are 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and a week at Easter and Christmas.

In November 2022, the nursery received early education funding for children aged three and four. That is a dated funding position rather than a promise of a current funded booking.

• Youngest children's participation. Some group discussions were too demanding for younger children in November 2022. Ask how story and music activities are now adapted for your child's stage.
• Consistency of teaching. The November 2022 improvement priorities included helping every practitioner extend learning effectively. Discuss how staff support and observation now address this.
• Booking and costs. With weekday opening extending from early morning into late afternoon, ask which attendance pattern, funded arrangements and written quotation would fit your family, including food and consumables.

Lovacott Nursery suits families seeking weekday childcare. In November 2022, daily learning included signing, vocabulary work and practical mathematics. The key consideration is how consistently that learning reaches every child, especially the youngest during group activities.