Pebbles Day Nursery

At its November 2024 inspection, real crockery, treasure baskets and cooking with the chef gave Pebbles Day Nursery in Farnborough a practical, exploratory character. At its November 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support for their individual development.

The nursery accepts children aged 3 to 60 months at Cherrywood Childcare, Aldwick Close, Farnborough GU14 8FH. Its opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In November 2024, the nursery used the curiosity approach: children investigated materials and everyday objects through exploration. Babies handled treasure baskets, straw and sand; older children explored ornaments and crockery. Fragile objects introduced a practical lesson in caring for belongings.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the November 2024 examples included sensory exploration, making independent choices and learning to cooperate through play. Children worked together on a wooden-block house, giving a shared task a social purpose.

Outdoor play that month included bikes, a climbing frame and a slide. Balancing a wooden plank across a tyre gave children an opportunity to judge risk and work out a safe solution.

In November 2024, a key-person system connected children with staff who knew their routines and needs. Bottle feeds included cuddles and eye contact. Staff also helped children recognise emotions and describe their feelings, linking everyday care with communication.

Parents received guidance on weaning, safer sleep and oral health that month, alongside information about learning at home. Families were invited to share recipes from their cultures; a recent bonfire night tea brought parents and children together for stories, sparklers and hot chocolate.

A nursery chef prepared home-cooked meals in November 2024, and children joined cooking activities to learn about nutrition. Serving food themselves and clearing their plates made mealtimes an opportunity to practise independence.

The address is Cherrywood Childcare, Aldwick Close, Farnborough GU14 8FH. The nursery opens throughout the year, apart from bank holidays and its Christmas closure.

In November 2024, it provided government-funded early education for children aged nine months to four years. That dated offer should be distinguished from the arrangements applying to a new booking.

• Consistency with temporary staff. In November 2024, induction and support for agency staff needed strengthening. Ask how temporary practitioners learn your child's routines and sustain continuity in learning.
• Conversations that extend learning. Staff sometimes missed opportunities for deeper exchanges in November 2024. During a visit, ask how practitioners build on children's questions and ideas.
• Attendance and costs. The 8am to 6pm opening window offers a useful starting point for planning. Which booking patterns, funded arrangements and additional charges would apply to your child's place?

Pebbles suits families drawn to exploratory play with everyday objects and practical opportunities for independence. The November 2024 account gives substance to that character through cooking, collaborative building and outdoor challenges. Its two improvement priorities also matter: continuity with temporary staff and richer conversations deserve attention alongside the appealing activities.