Boo Boo's Day Nursery

A toy bridge, cars of different sizes and a conversation about which would fit: everyday play supplied the learning material at Boo Boo's Day Nursery in October 2022. This Selby setting has capacity for 31 children aged 3 to 36 months.

At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support to make progress. The practical strengths included affectionate relationships, energetic play and detailed communication with families, alongside clear improvements needed in language, independence and praise.

In October 2022, children could climb, dance and run in a sizeable indoor area, use garden equipment and take walks to a nearby park or feed ducks. Police and fire-service visits brought aspects of the surrounding community into their day. Physical activity extended beyond outdoor play alone.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In October 2022, its everyday expression included stories, songs and conversations built around children's interests. Preschool children recognised their names and explored letters and numbers through rhymes; a nature hunt at home supplied leaves and conkers for discussion about texture and colour.

Storytelling held children's attention through changes of voice and opportunities to respond. However, in October 2022, some questions invited only a brief yes or no, restricting opportunities to explain an idea. Staff also needed to model everyday spoken language more carefully. These were improvements to the conversations through which children learn, rather than simply to planned activities.

In October 2022, babies received comforting cuddles and children developed close relationships with their key workers. Staff sought professional advice when they identified gaps in learning, giving additional support a practical route beyond the nursery team.

Communication that month combined conversations with parents, an online platform and children's busy books; younger children also had daily diaries. These gave families several ways to follow both the day's care and longer-term development.

Independence was uneven in October 2022. Older children managed coats, shoes and handwashing, but adults prepared fruit portions and cut up preschool children's lunches rather than consistently encouraging them to handle these tasks. Praise also needed greater precision: frequent general approval was losing its effect because it was not connected to a particular child's action.

The address is The Studios, Cochrane's Shipyard, Carr Street, Selby, YO8 8AW. Opening hours are 07:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except Bank Holidays.

In October 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated account of funding provision, separate from the current age range above.

• Language and feedback. October 2022 improvements concerned everyday speech, questions that extend thinking and praise linked to individual actions. During a visit, look for conversations that give children time to explain themselves.
• Doing things independently. In October 2022, mealtimes offered fewer chances for self-help than dressing routines. Ask how children now take part in preparing and eating their food.
• Attendance choices. Do the booking patterns and current funded-hours arrangements fit your family's weekly routine?

Boo Boo's suits families seeking care for younger children within a weekday opening window that spans the working day. Its October 2022 account combines affectionate care, space for movement and useful parent communication. The decision points are equally concrete: the quality of everyday conversation, the usefulness of praise and how much children are encouraged to do for themselves.