Partou Bumpkins Day Nursery & Forest School

In July 2023, carrots grown by children, trees supplied by the Woodland Trust and stories turned into colour experiments gave this Whaddon nursery a recognisable outdoor character. Partou Bumpkins Day Nursery & Forest School has 46 places in total. At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding, finding that teaching adapted to children's development helped them make exceptional progress.

The children attending in July 2023 were aged two to four. That dated picture centres on growing independence, practical exploration and preparation for primary school.

In July 2023, favourite stories helped shape learning: The Smeds and the Smoos prompted experiments with mixing colours. Children asked about unfamiliar words and shared books with adults. This connected storytelling with investigation rather than keeping books apart from practical activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2023 examples included counting through water play, exploring volume and making pictures with paint and sticks. Familiar materials became opportunities to practise language, mathematical thinking and creative expression.

Outside in July 2023, children searched damp spots for insects and compared the carrots they had grown. Trees from the Woodland Trust supported learning about caring for the environment. Natural resources served different purposes, while running, climbing and invented games brought movement and imagination together.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with learning targets developed jointly with families and external specialists. That combination matters for families whose children need teaching adapted to their individual development.

Independence was practised through ordinary routines in July 2023. Children recognised their lunch place cards, helped friends identify theirs and served food using utensils. Safety had a similarly practical basis: children understood the outdoor rules and stopped at an agreed signal.

Communication with families in July 2023 included opportunities to contribute ideas that informed changes to provision. Preparation for primary school involved confident use of pencils and scissors alongside developing vocabulary. These were practical foundations for the next stage, rather than an admissions promise.

The address is Meldreth Road, Whaddon, Royston, SG8 5RR.

In July 2023, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time. These are inspection-era arrangements, so they describe the nursery at that visit.

• Outdoor routines. In July 2023, exploration included insect searches, growing carrots and learning safety signals. Discuss how these experiences would fit your child's confidence outdoors.
• Choosing an attendance pattern. What sessions and funded-hour arrangements would apply to your child now?
• Support tailored to the child. July 2023 learning targets for children with SEND involved families and external specialists. For a child needing additional support, discuss how their individual priorities would shape settling and learning.

This nursery suits families drawn to the outdoor exploration, story-led activities and practical independence described in its July 2023 inspection. The July 2023 picture has substance: children grew food, investigated materials and practised skills for primary school. Its appeal rests on those concrete experiences and the dated Outstanding judgement, with individual support another important part of that assessment.