Roger's Burrow Day Nursery

A sensory room where children's voices set colours and patterns moving gives Roger's Burrow Day Nursery a memorable place to start. In March 2022, babies and toddlers explored this responsive technology alongside hands-on play with citrus fruit and herbs. These were different ways into discovery: sound, movement, touch and new words.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 11 March 2022. It has capacity for 36 children, with its base at Woollcombe Block, HMS Drake, Devonport, Plymouth. Children attending in March 2022 were aged 0 to 5; that age range describes the children at that time.

In March 2022, children's interests shaped the activities. An enthusiasm for dinosaurs prompted an outdoor egg hunt, while a role-play vets gave older children reasons to ask questions about caring for animals. The outdoor search also gave children a chance to decide where to look next.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, including learning through play. In March 2022, a fishing game brought counting, addition and subtraction into play, and construction activities encouraged children to explain their ideas, revisit models and help younger children.

Books were another part of that March 2022 experience. Children sought adults out to share stories and connected characters' experiences with their own. The improvement priority was to take early literacy further, including rhyme and letter sounds. Enjoying a story and extending the skills around it are separate steps.

At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children making good progress, with prompt additional support, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This provides a dated judgement on care and inclusion rather than a guarantee about today's practice.

In March 2022, key persons gathered information about children's routines at home, interests and needs to guide activities. Staff worked with other professionals and other settings children attended, and shared learning information during the move to school. That connected support across different parts of a child's life.

Communication needed more work in March 2022. Parents received regular updates about their children's daily experiences, but some were uncertain about the support and communication routes they could use while away with the navy. Opportunities to discuss progress face to face had also reduced, and families needed more help with learning at home.

The address is Woollcombe Block, HMS Drake, Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG.

In March 2022, the nursery operated in a purpose-built building on the naval base and admitted only children whose parents worked there. Its opening hours then were 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across 51 weeks of the year. These are dated opening hours, rather than a description of bookable sessions.

• Naval-base access. Admission in March 2022 was restricted to children of personnel working on the base. Does your family's connection qualify under the current entry arrangements?
• Early literacy. The March 2022 improvement priority was to extend learning about rhyme and letter sounds. This is the teaching detail to explore when considering preparation for school.
• Communication during deployment. In March 2022, families needed clearer support routes while away with the navy and more guidance for learning at home. A workable contact arrangement matters alongside regular updates.

The March 2022 account suits naval-base families looking for interest-led play, sensory exploration and support connecting home and nursery. The March 2022 picture combines inventive activities with clear improvement priorities: deeper early literacy and better communication for families, especially when a parent is away.