Cheeky Smiles

Block-built bridges and water play shaped Cheeky Smiles' July 2021 inspection picture: children making, moving and experimenting. At its July 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, with children settled and interested in their activities, while identifying weaknesses in extending learning and supporting home languages.

Based at The Den in Norwich, the nursery has capacity for 80 children. The children attending in July 2021 ranged from birth to 10 years old; that is a dated picture of attendance.

In July 2021, children built a bridge with large blocks, practised balancing and used pipettes during imaginative water play. These activities brought physical movement and careful hand control into the same outdoor space. Younger children explored musical instruments and books, while older children chose activities and moved between indoor and outdoor play.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2021 examples included play, conversation and growing independence: older children changed footwear for outdoor activities with little help, and lunchtime discussions carried over into group conversations.

There was a clear teaching limitation in July 2021. Staff sometimes missed opportunities to develop an activity further or introduce vocabulary during spontaneous conversations, including discussions about weather. Enjoyment alone was not enough to extend children's understanding.

At the July 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective: staff understood how to raise welfare concerns, and leaders used hypothetical situations to test their responses.

In July 2021, babies used familiar staff as a base for exploration, while practitioners joined older children's imaginative games. Books and writing resources were introduced when children stayed absorbed in a favourite activity, giving their interests another direction.

Communication with families in July 2021 included updates about children's experiences and achievements, and parents took part in decisions about additional support. However, although staff learnt which languages children heard at home, opportunities for the youngest children to hear and develop words in those languages were inconsistent. This mattered during changes between daily routines as well as during learning activities.

The address is The Den, 30 Peterkin Road, Norwich, NR4 6LQ. Cheeky Smiles opens all year, from 7am to 7pm each day.

In July 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That participation belongs to the inspection period.

• Extending learning. In July 2021, staff did not consistently build on spontaneous discussions. During a visit, ask how practitioners now introduce fresh vocabulary and develop children's ideas.
• Home languages. Support for the youngest children's home languages was inconsistent in July 2021. Families using another language at home should discuss how familiar words feature in daily routines.
• Attendance arrangements. The opening window runs from 7am to 7pm each day. Ask which booking patterns fit your child's age and your working week.

Cheeky Smiles suits families who value practical play and opportunities for children to make choices. Its July 2021 picture combines outdoor construction, imaginative games and developing independence with specific teaching limitations. The long opening window is a useful practical consideration; the learning-extension and home-language questions deserve attention when choosing.