Baker Street Nursery and Preschool Hanham

Outdoor storytelling gave play a clear purpose in January 2024: children acted out familiar stories using a water tray, mud kitchen and playhouse. Books became something children could explore through movement and imagination.

Ofsted rated Baker Street Nursery and Preschool Hanham Good at its January 2024 inspection and judged safeguarding effective. The nursery has capacity for 69 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months.

In January 2024, the early years foundation stage took practical form through conversation, creative play and physical exploration: children shaped dough, painted, drew with chalk and investigated the texture of shaving foam. Staff planned next steps around what individual children could already do, while leaving them choices about their play.

Communication received careful attention that month. Practitioners allowed time for responses and recognised gestures as well as spoken answers. For children learning English, staff gathered words used at home. This gave children several ways to take part in conversations.

Music also provided opportunities to learn. In January 2024, staff redirected rough handling of instruments into experiments with volume and speed; children counted beats and practised starting and stopping. Outdoors, familiar stories prompted children to recall characters and act out events, connecting language with imaginative play.

The qualification for families is group participation. In January 2024, a sound-and-letter activity overlapped with preparations for an outing, so children moved between the activity and putting on coats. Timing reduced their opportunity to stay involved.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that key-person relationships helped children feel secure and that the special educational needs coordinator worked with families, practitioners and other professionals to organise targeted support. Learning plans included individual targets, with visual prompts helping children connect objects with words and understand routine changes.

Practical independence featured in January 2024 too. Children practised disposing of used tissues and washing their hands, with reminders to drink after active play. Low toilets supported younger children during potty training. These were concrete opportunities to practise caring for themselves.

The address is 128-130 High Street, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3EJ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week between Christmas and New Year. Families planning year-round care need to account for that Christmas break.

In January 2024, the nursery received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation fact, rather than a statement of a particular current funded attendance package.

• Participation in group activities. January 2024 brought a recommendation to organise adult-led activities so every child could join in. On a visit, ask how activities now fit around outings and other transitions.
• Christmas cover. The nursery closes for one week between Christmas and New Year, as well as bank holidays. Families needing care during that period will need another arrangement.

This nursery merits consideration by Hanham families who value communication, imaginative outdoor play and practical independence. Its January 2024 Good judgement supports that assessment, while the recommendation about group participation gives parents a specific point to explore. The weekday opening window and Christmas closure are the clearest practical factors for families organising care across the year.