Once Upon A Time, City

Buckets of bricks for babies and homemade play dough for older children give Once Upon A Time, City a practical, hands-on character in its October 2024 account of daily life. The setting has capacity for 50 children at Nottingham College's Adams Building on Stoney Street.

At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. Children aged 0 to 4 attended at that time. The strongest examples combine conversation, experimentation and small steps towards independence; the improvement priority concerns keeping younger children engaged during group activities.

In October 2024, babies repeatedly filled and emptied buckets while staff supplied words to match their actions. Older children mixed play dough ingredients, considered what might happen and used tools to shape their creations. These activities linked language with practical discovery and gave small hands useful work.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, its inspection-era examples included learning through play, practising conversation and tackling everyday tasks. In October 2024, planning drew on observations and assessments to decide what children should learn next. Additional funding bought jigsaws and toys with buckles and clips, giving children more opportunities to practise coordination.

Singing also featured in October 2024: babies joined rowing actions, while older children discussed photographs brought from home. Familiar experiences gave them something concrete to talk about. Children also practised sharing resources and taking turns in October 2024.

At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, progressed well, with developmental gaps identified promptly and support arranged through referrals and work with parents.

In October 2024, staff learnt familiar words from children's home languages and used objects to explain daily routines. This gave children learning English additional ways to understand what was happening. Handwashing, serving food with tongs and using cutlery gave children opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Daily conversations and an online app connected home and nursery in October 2024. Parents could contribute information about learning at home, which staff used when following children's development. Staff development included supervision meetings and team training days.

The address is Nottingham College, Adams Building, Stoney Street, Nottingham NG1 1NG.

In October 2024, opening hours were 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 5.30pm on Friday, with year-round operation. At that time, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated operating details, rather than a current attendance commitment.

• Younger children's group activities. In October 2024, toddlers lost interest as adult-led sessions continued. The improvement priority was more effective interaction to sustain their attention, an important consideration for families whose children engage best through shorter activities.
• Planning attendance. The October 2024 opening pattern had an earlier Friday finish. Which current attendance arrangements and settling approach would fit your child's routine?

Once Upon A Time, City merits consideration for families who value practical play, conversation and growing independence. Its October 2024 examples show how ordinary materials became opportunities to experiment and communicate. The Good judgement supports that positive picture, while the weakness in younger children's group activities provides a clear counterweight. Families should weigh both, especially when choosing care for a toddler.