Tops Day Nurseries: Lakeside Nursery

In December 2022, small acts of independence characterised Lakeside's day: pouring a drink, tackling socks and trying again when a task proved difficult. In December 2022, these everyday experiences sat alongside construction play, counting and experiments with water. Learning had practical roots.

Tops Day Nurseries: Lakeside Nursery, in North Harbour, Portsmouth, has capacity for 93 children aged 3 to 60 months. Ofsted rated it Good at its December 2022 inspection. That dated judgement is a useful starting point, rather than a description of every aspect of today's care.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, with play providing opportunities to develop language, physical skills and understanding. In December 2022, children explored quantities with containers, counted collected objects and repaired brick bridges that collapsed. These activities gave them concrete problems to investigate.

Medical role play drew on children's experiences that month: bandages and appointment-making created reasons to use unfamiliar vocabulary. Songs and rhymes added another route into language. Children also handled shells with tweezers before releasing them into a water activity, combining careful movement with sensory exploration.

Community experiences extended beyond the nursery in December 2022. Children travelled by bus to visit care-home residents, bringing contact with another generation into their learning. Recycling was part of the daily routine, while outdoor physical games and toothbrushing connected everyday habits with health and environmental responsibility.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described timely SEND support involving the SENCo, parents and outside agencies. These findings concern that inspection date.

In December 2022, key people used their knowledge of children and families to shape play around familiar experiences. Parents received updates about learning and ideas to use at home. This made communication useful beyond a simple account of the day's activities.

There were also weaknesses that matter to families. In December 2022, some children needed more help to become involved in activities, especially those learning English as an additional language. Staff also missed chances to develop children's ideas further. Warm relationships and interesting resources did not consistently translate into sufficiently engaging or challenging play.

The address is North Harbour, Western Road, Portsmouth, PO6 3EN. Opening hours are 6am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, closing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

In December 2022, the preschool received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. That establishes participation at that time. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Participation in play. December 2022 findings identified children who needed more help joining activities. On a visit, ask how practitioners involve a child learning English as an additional language.
• Challenge beyond the first attempt. Staff sometimes missed opportunities to extend children's thinking in December 2022. Ask how an activity changes when a child has mastered its initial task.
• Attendance arrangements. The weekday opening window runs from 6am to 8pm. Which booking pattern would fit your working hours?

Lakeside merits consideration by Portsmouth families who value practical independence and play rooted in everyday experiences. Its December 2022 strengths included construction, sensory exploration and community contact; the reservations concerned engagement and challenge. For families needing care within an early-start or late-finish weekday window, the operating hours are a useful practical consideration.