Belsize Day Nursery

Communication support gives Belsize Day Nursery its clearest character: signing, visual prompts and close work with families featured prominently in December 2025. Based at Belsize Centre in Peterborough, it has capacity for 64 children and accepts ages from 24 to 60 months.

At its December 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion a strong standard, the other assessed areas an expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. The distinction matters: support for individual needs was the strongest element, while teaching and behaviour guidance needed further work.

In December 2025, Makaton supported communication through signing, including children requesting milk at snack time. Photographs and objects also helped children understand changes in their routine. These were practical ways to help children express themselves and anticipate what happened next.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the December 2025 examples included exploring quantities while making play dough, handling creative materials independently and discussing books with staff. Everyday activities supplied opportunities to practise language, movement and independence.

Outdoor equipment gave children opportunities to practise balance and coordination. In December 2025, children could move freely between indoor activities and the outdoor area; daily outings took them to shops, a community garden and the library, alongside frequent woodland walks. Road safety became part of those experiences.

In December 2025, staff worked with families and professionals on individual targets, using visual prompts and calming resources where children needed them. They also supported referrals for speech and language therapy and accompanied families to external assessments. That gave parents practical help with the steps around additional support.

Familiar staff accompanied children with additional needs when they began settling into school. Staff also tried to learn children's home languages, giving communication another route alongside English.

Personal care had a practical emphasis in December 2025. Children practised handwashing and managing the toilet, while supervised toothbrushing brought oral health into the day. Staff stayed alongside children at mealtimes; snacks were supplied, and parents were encouraged to send healthy packed lunches.

The address is Belsize Centre, Belsize Avenue, Peterborough, PE2 9JA. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. This makes the holiday calendar relevant to families arranging regular childcare beyond term time.

• Purpose behind activities. At the December 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff did not consistently identify what planned activities should teach, and did not always help children understand how unwanted behaviour affected others. Ask how staff now explain learning aims and follow through on behaviour guidance.
• Age range and opening hours. The current age range is 24 to 60 months, while the December 2025 account included babies; opening hours also differ between the operational schedule, 8am to 4pm, and the December 2025 hours, 8am to 5pm. Confirm the age provision and operating window relevant to your child before arranging care.

Belsize suits families seeking care across the year and those who value practical communication support. Its December 2025 examples give that emphasis substance: signing, visual prompts and help with external appointments. The balance is clear. Individual support was the strongest assessed area, while greater consistency in teaching aims and behaviour guidance remained important priorities.