Eslaforde Private Nursery

A mud kitchen turned into a pretend restaurant captures the character of Eslaforde Private Nursery's May 2022 provision: children invented the game, and staff joined their play. Practical independence was another thread, from serving lunch to managing belongings.

At its 27 May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Eslaforde has 33 places in total for children aged 2 to 60 months, at 1 Stevens Lane in Sleaford.

In May 2022, babies, toddlers and preschool children had activities suited to their interests and stages of development. Younger children mixed ingredients for play dough, while older children practised handling cutlery and serving food. These were everyday opportunities to develop coordination and make decisions.

The nursery follows the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. In parent terms, this connects play and daily routines with learning: conversation, stories and practical tasks help children build skills.

During May 2022, books and songs gave communication a clear place in the day. Babies moved towards staff sharing books; toddlers used song props; older children invented stories for the group. Staff introduced vocabulary and encouraged questions, giving children different ways to express themselves.

Outside, the mud kitchen supported collaborative pretend play in May 2022. Children prepared imaginary meals and served them at a picnic table, while younger children explored pouring water and filling containers with natural materials. The activities combined imagination with handling and experimenting.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that familiar key people supported children's wellbeing and that information sharing helped children progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Family information covered what children could already do at home and what parents wanted them to learn next.

In May 2022, this information travelled with children when they changed groups or key person, and parents received daily updates online. Continuity mattered: the next practitioner could build on existing knowledge rather than start again.

Emotional understanding and self-care also featured in May 2022. Staff helped babies recognise feelings and begin taking turns; older children practised settling disagreements. Toddlers washed their hands independently, while older children explored toothbrushing through an activity using pictures of teeth. Small routines gave children practical responsibilities.

The address is 1 Stevens Lane, Sleaford, NG34 7PU. Opening hours are 07:45 to 17:45, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In May 2022, funded early education covered children aged two, three and four. Holiday care for children aged five to eleven was also part of the provision at that time; it was separate from the nursery's current early-years age range.

• Purpose behind activities. In May 2022, staff were not consistently clear about the learning intended from every activity. This matters when judging how appealing play develops into planned learning.
• Staff development. The May 2022 improvement priorities included more targeted professional development. The issue was helping practitioners extend their knowledge, confidence and skills.
• Attendance and funding. For this year-round nursery, which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your child's routine?

Eslaforde suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare across its early-years age range. Its May 2022 strengths lay in familiar relationships, conversation and practical independence, with the outdoor restaurant play giving those themes a concrete expression. The dated Good judgement is balanced by clear priorities around staff development and the purpose of planned activities.