Cherry Tree Day Nursery, Portsmouth

Emotional wellbeing gives Cherry Tree its clearest character: breathing exercises, conversations about feelings and familiar care routines featured in its May 2026 provision. Practical independence and early conversation need more consistent attention.

At the 8 May 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged all six assessed areas to be at the expected standard and safeguarding standards to be met. These are area judgements rather than an overall grade.

The nursery has capacity for 86 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months.

The early years' foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning and care, bringing play, communication, physical development and growing independence into the day.

In May 2026, babies explored resources by crawling and moving around their surroundings. Toddlers built structures and threaded pasta onto cotton, practising coordination and persistence. Preschool children experimented with water and soil, noticing how materials changed. These activities gave different ages concrete ways to explore rather than relying on adult explanation alone.

Outdoor play included equipment children moved over and beneath, bowling that introduced counting, and making mud pies. In May 2026, these experiences connected movement, number and imaginative play.

Language teaching was less consistent for older babies and toddlers. In May 2026, adults sometimes used commentary or questions requiring brief answers, leaving fewer opportunities for children to develop longer spoken responses. More purposeful conversation during ordinary play and snacks was an improvement priority.

At its May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children, including those with SEND or other learning barriers, made typical progress, with additional funding used effectively for individual support and outside professionals involved when needed.

In May 2026, the key-person approach helped staff understand children's needs, while comfort and familiar meal and rest routines supported settling. Staff exchanged information with families and shared calming techniques for use at home, connecting nursery care with family routines.

Self-care was uneven. In May 2026, babies practised feeding themselves and preschool children took more responsibility for toileting, but adults sometimes did tasks for toddlers that they could have been learning to attempt. Independence and everyday hygiene needed more consistent teaching.

The address is 319 London Road, Portsmouth, PO2 9HQ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

• Early conversation. The May 2026 language priority concerned older babies and toddlers. During a visit, ask how practitioners now encourage children to expand their answers during play and snacks.
• Toddler independence. May 2026 practice sometimes involved adults completing self-care tasks for children. Ask how hygiene routines now give toddlers time to try for themselves.
• Teaching consistency. In May 2026, leaders needed sharper monitoring of individual teaching to target coaching. Ask how they assess whether training changes everyday interactions.

Cherry Tree suits families seeking care across the year, with emotional wellbeing and growing independence prominent in its May 2026 daily life. Its practical appeal includes weekday opening from early morning into the evening. The decision deserves close attention to toddler self-care, early speaking opportunities and the consistency of teaching: these were the concrete priorities behind the expected-standard judgements.