My Start Nursery

Jelly play, low sinks and children serving their own food give My Start Nursery a practical, hands-on character in its June 2023 account. Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 2 June 2023, with clearer planning for individual learning and more accurate pronunciation identified as priorities for improvement.

Based in Nottingham, the nursery has capacity for 70 children aged 6 to 60 months. The strongest detail is about ordinary routines becoming opportunities to learn: handling food, washing hands and asking for help.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing these together across play and everyday routines.

In June 2023, babies explored jelly while staff introduced words connected to its texture and their movements. Water play brought early mathematics into the day: children poured between containers, explored quantity and practised counting. These were concrete experiences children could touch and repeat.

Stories, songs and repeated words also supported language in June 2023. However, staff sometimes used informal words rather than modelling accurate pronunciation. Learning plans had another weakness: some next steps were too general because practitioners were unclear about precisely what individual children should learn next. Those details matter more than a curriculum label.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, involving health visitors, family support teams and speech and language therapists.

In June 2023, low sinks allowed children to practise handwashing, supported by explanations and a song. At meals, children served food, handled cutlery and attempted to open yoghurt pots with help nearby. Independence was built through small, useful tasks.

Communication with families in June 2023 included guidance about sleep safety, dental health, toilet learning and behaviour. Staff also monitored meals to reduce choking risks and supported sun safety through shade, hydration and sun protection. These are dated examples of care in practice.

On Minver Crescent in Nottingham, My Start Nursery occupies Aspley Bells Lane Childrens Centre, NG8 5PJ. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with closures for bank holidays, a week at Christmas and two weeks in summer.

In June 2023, session times ran from 8am until 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This describes the arrangements at that time.

• Individual learning plans. In June 2023, some next steps were too broad. For families, the important distinction is between identifying a development gap and planning a precise activity to address it.
• Language modelling. The June 2023 improvement priority covered accurate pronunciation. Everyday conversation matters alongside stories and singing.
• Planning attendance. How would the current booking options and funded-hours arrangements fit your family's week? Include this in a visit discussion alongside the summer and Christmas closures.

My Start Nursery suits families seeking care for children aged 6 to 60 months, with practical independence and hands-on play prominent in its June 2023 account. The Good judgement sits alongside specific weaknesses in planning and language modelling. Both deserve weight in a parent's decision.