Marsh Lane Under 5's

Paint mixed to order, stories acted out and children choosing between indoor and outdoor play: the April 2022 picture of Marsh Lane Under 5's puts children's ideas centre stage. This community-centre setting in Sheffield has 25 places in total.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 1 April 2022. Children attending at that time were aged two to four; that age range belongs to the visit, rather than describing today's intake.

In April 2022, children could request resources beyond those already set out. When painters wanted extra colours and a tray, staff helped them experiment with mixing. That gave children scope to extend an activity themselves, rather than simply complete an adult's plan.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2022 examples included developing hand control with scissors, exploring colour and turning a traditional story into shared role play. Children practised skills through activities they wanted to pursue.

Outdoor space was very small in April 2022. Visits to a local park, open spaces and an allotment broadened opportunities for movement, alongside daily fresh air and exercise. The practical distinction is between the nursery's own outdoor area and the surroundings staff used beyond it.

At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with SEND exceptionally strong, with cooperation between the SEND coordinator, families, staff and other professionals helping children make progress.

In April 2022, staff gently encouraged children who initially watched activities to join in. They also demonstrated kindness and sharing, while older children sometimes negotiated disagreements themselves, including how to share a tool. This combined adult guidance with chances to practise independence.

In April 2022, staff adapted the environment to children's needs and sought parents' views. Staff meetings and individual appraisals also took place, but supervision needed a sharper emphasis on each practitioner's teaching and curriculum knowledge. That improvement point matters alongside the positive account of relationships.

The address is Marsh Lane Community Association, Community Centre, Main Road, Marsh Lane, Sheffield S21 5RH.

In April 2022, attendance ran during term time, Monday to Friday. Sessions were 9.15am to 3.15pm on Mondays and Thursdays, 9am to 3pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 9am to midday on Fridays. These are historical attendance patterns.

The nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds in April 2022. That establishes participation at the time, rather than eligibility for any particular child today.

• Outdoor space. The nursery's own outdoor area was very small in April 2022, with outings extending opportunities for exercise. Ask how outdoor play and trips now fit into the day.
• Teaching supervision. In April 2022, individual staff supervision needed more attention to teaching practice and curriculum knowledge. Ask what has changed in that process.
• Attendance pattern. April 2022 combined longer term-time days with a Friday morning session. Which current pattern would fit your family's week?

The April 2022 account suits families who value child-led play, practical independence and cooperation around additional needs. Its attendance pattern served both longer term-time days and a shorter Friday morning. The small outdoor area and the teaching-supervision improvement point deserve attention when weighing that dated picture against a family's present needs.