Hummingbirds Nursery and Preschool

In April 2025, kindness certificates and growing food gave Hummingbirds Nursery and Preschool a recognisable character: relationships and practical discovery sat side by side. At its April 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective.

Based at Austrey C Of E School in Austrey, it has 39 places in total. In April 2025, children attending were aged 0 to 4; that age range describes the children at the time.

In April 2025, children planted seeds, compared their sizes and looked at pictures of the plants they would become. They took responsibility for watering them. This connected an everyday task with learning how living things grow.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2025 examples included exploring materials, talking about their textures and following children's interests when planning activities.

Conversation was a substantial part of the day, but its delivery needed refinement. In April 2025, staff sometimes used inaccurate versions of words, and sometimes answered their own questions before children had time to think. Both points matter: children need clear language models and room to form their own responses.

In April 2025, staff learnt about children's family lives and adjusted their responses to individual needs. Kindness certificates recognised caring behaviour; children also noticed when friends were hurt and asked about their feelings. Emotional learning had concrete examples children could understand.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received helpful support through learning plans and reviews with parents, but identified gaps in staff knowledge of local support processes and a need for further training.

In April 2025, parents understood what children were learning and received guidance for continuing that learning at home. Leaders also worked with local authority advisers on changes to activities and the learning environment.

The address is Austrey C Of E School, St Nicholas Close, Austrey, Atherstone, CV9 3EQ.

In April 2025, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation apart from a two-week Christmas closure. Government-funded childcare was offered at that time. These are dated operating details rather than a current booking offer.

• Language and thinking time. April 2025 improvement points concerned accurate vocabulary and allowing children longer to answer. These are useful priorities for discussing how staff extend conversation.
• SEND training. In April 2025, staff needed a better understanding of local support processes. Families needing additional support should discuss how training has changed that work.
• Attendance arrangements. The April 2025 opening window covered weekdays and included a Christmas closure. Which current booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's week?

The April 2025 picture suits families who value close relationships, practical exploration and explicit encouragement of kindness. Seed-growing and supportive conversations gave that approach substance. The balance is clear: a Good inspection outcome, alongside specific improvements needed in language modelling, thinking time and SEND training.