Time Out

Babies experimenting with hats, watching squirrels and working out how to move from a slide onto grass give Time Out's March 2023 account its character. This is a nursery where the small details of early childhood carry the story. Time Out has capacity for 24 children at The Bungalow in Sherburn in Elmet.

At its 30 March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Time Out Good and found safeguarding effective, with attentive care and support for children's communication among its strengths. The improvement point was clear: activities needed enough challenge to extend each child's learning.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the March 2023 examples show learning through play, conversation and physical exploration. Babies tried hats on and involved adults in their games. Sand and a sieve gave them opportunities to investigate texture and movement rather than simply watch an adult demonstrate.

In March 2023, outdoor experiences included watching squirrels in nearby trees, with adults talking about the animals' search for food. A slide and grass offered opportunities to experiment with movement. Chalk marks exercised fingers, while crawling around people and objects involved judging space. These are concrete examples of learning woven into ordinary play.

Books also formed part of that March 2023 day. Babies brought them to adults, who talked through the pictures with them. During sand play, adults drew attention to what other children were doing, giving babies a starting point for noticing and interacting with one another.

In March 2023, staff recognised babies' tiredness and responded with gentle touch and calm speech. Their conversations followed babies' attempts to communicate: adults listened to babbling, spoke at the child's level and responded with their interpretation. That gives a parent a useful picture of how care and conversation worked together.

Settling visits and discussions with parents were used in March 2023 to learn about children's existing interests and abilities. Adults also demonstrated handwashing before food and encouraged babies to join in. Staff support included supervision meetings and opportunities to contribute ideas to decisions about the nursery.

The address is The Bungalow, Garden Lane, Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds, LS25 6AS. The whole-setting capacity is 24 places; that figure is not a room size or the number attending together.

In March 2023, the nursery operated on weekdays throughout the year, with hours running from 8am to 6pm. Those hours describe the inspection-era routine.

• Challenge in play. The March 2023 improvement point concerned activities that did not consistently stretch children's learning. Look for examples of how familiar play is adapted as a child develops.
• Matching the current offer. Which ages and attendance patterns can Time Out accommodate now, and how would settling visits work for your child?

Time Out suits families who value close adult interaction and learning through everyday play. Its March 2023 account is strongest in the detail of baby care, conversation and exploration. The balance to weigh is whether activities offer enough challenge as children's abilities develop.