Claremont Nursery

Vegetable growing in the Jubilee Garden and exploration of neighbouring woodland and fields give Claremont Nursery a recognisable outdoor character in its December 2022 account. The nursery occupies a separate building within the grounds of Claremont School in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding on 19 December 2022. Its current age range is 12 to 60 months; the experiences described below belong to December 2022.

In December 2022, children's interests and experiences outside nursery shaped their play. A visit to a historic attraction could lead to building structures or sewing patterns. Staff used these starting points to extend children's ideas, rather than keeping the activity separate from what interested them.

The nursery followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. In December 2022, that meant opportunities to develop language, practical skills and independence through play: stories prompted conversation, while handling spoons during messy activities gave younger children practice for feeding themselves.

Books featured throughout the nursery. Staff introduced vocabulary through discussion and gave children opportunities to try unfamiliar words; they also learnt words from children's home languages. Babies had a calm space with resources for exploration. Older children practised fastening coats and tackling small tasks themselves.

Outdoors, the Jubilee Garden gave children hands-on experience of growing vegetables. Nearby forest and fields added opportunities to explore nature. These were concrete experiences of the world beyond the playroom.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and identified strong targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with staff, parents and other professionals working together.

In December 2022, safeguarding work included audits, staff supervision and risk assessments addressing hazards such as choking. Training was shared within the team, and colleagues reviewed one another's practice. Children had close relationships with staff and were encouraged to persist with challenges.

Parents could join play-and-learning sessions, including activities about sharing stories and keeping children safe online. Communication also supported the move to school. This connected home and nursery learning through practical participation.

The address is Claremont School, Ebdens Hill, St. Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7PW.

In December 2022, opening hours were 8am to 6pm on weekdays, across 50 weeks of the year. At that time, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four.

The nursery's position within school grounds does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Today's attendance arrangements. The December 2022 opening window covered weekdays from 8am to 6pm. At a visit, ask which booking patterns and funded-hour arrangements now fit your intended attendance.
• A school-ground setting. The nursery occupies its own building within Claremont School's grounds. Treat nursery attendance and a subsequent school application as separate decisions.

Claremont Nursery suits families drawn to practical independence, language-rich play and outdoor exploration. Its December 2022 account combines vegetable growing and woodland experiences with close staff relationships and parent participation. The Outstanding judgement gives that dated picture weight; the concrete activities make it useful beyond the grade alone.