Highdale Day Nursery

Bean plants measured with tape measures, stories retold with puppets and dens built together give Highdale Day Nursery a recognisable character. These were concrete features of children's play in April 2023, with practical discovery running alongside independence and conversation.

At its April 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found that children made substantial progress through an ambitious curriculum centred on emotional and social development. Highdale has capacity for 24 children aged two to four in Clevedon. Its strongest inspection examples connect learning with things children can do for themselves.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: it connects play and learning with everyday wellbeing. In April 2023, children explored mathematical ideas by measuring growing beans, while younger children worked dough with rolling pins. These were practical ways to encounter size, change and physical skills.

A book tent gave storytelling a physical setting in April 2023. Children listened to stories, then used puppets and props to tell them again, giving them opportunities to practise vocabulary and sequence events. Den-building brought another kind of challenge: older children worked together to solve construction problems.

In the garden that April, insect discoveries prompted closer observation. Children examined insects with magnifying glasses and compared what they found. Trips to a local fruit and vegetable shop involved spending real money on produce for smoothies, connecting an outing with food preparation and healthy choices.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff understanding how to recognise and report concerns and managers assessing risks on the premises and local outings. Children wore reflective bibs and held hands on trips.

In April 2023, everyday routines encouraged independence and consideration. Children used sand timers to share toys and take turns; younger children managed coats and zips, supported by the magic coat trick, a technique staff taught for putting on coats. These examples made self-care part of the day rather than a separate lesson.

Support extended to parents in April 2023 through advice and online resources for learning at home. Staff also monitored children's development to identify learning gaps, linking day-to-day observation with what each child needed next.

The address is School Lane, Highdale Avenue, Clevedon, BS21 7LT. Highdale accepts children aged two to four, with 24 places in total; that is whole-nursery capacity rather than a group size.

In April 2023, opening hours were 8am to 6pm each weekday, across 51 weeks of the year. At that time, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four.

• An older inspection snapshot. The Outstanding judgement dates to April 2023. Its detailed examples describe practice at that time and should be read with that date in mind.
• Planning attendance. The April 2023 opening window spanned the working day. Which booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's week?

Highdale merits consideration for families seeking care for children aged two to four, especially those who value practical exploration and growing independence. The April 2023 examples are persuasive: shopping, measuring plants and managing coats connect learning with everyday life. The dated Outstanding judgement adds weight, while keeping the distinction between inspection-era practice and the current choice clear.