Cherry Tree Day Nursery

A soft-play room for babies and visual timetables shared with families give Cherry Tree Day Nursery a concrete character. In June 2026, these supported physical exploration and continuity between nursery and home. The emphasis was on helping children take part, with support adapted to their needs.

At its June 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion Strong standard, the other assessed areas Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. This is a report card with separate judgements, rather than a single overall grade.

Cherry Tree accepts children aged 3 to 60 months and has 48 places in total at its Yate address.

In June 2026, babies practised climbing and exploring in the soft-play room, while older children joined small groups to talk about experiences from home. Adult-organised activities sat alongside play that children chose themselves. These gave children opportunities both to try something planned and to pursue their own interests.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2026 day included stories, rhymes, mathematical play and imaginative dressing up as people who help others.

Outdoor activity also had a daily place in June 2026, with access for every age group. Children practised managing coats and wellington boots after garden play. Babies used pictures to recognise themselves when self-registering; older children selected letters from their names. Everyday routines therefore offered chances to practise recognition and self-care.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective, individually planned support, with staff adapting activities, resources and environments and working with families and external professionals. Visual timetables shared for use at home were one practical example of connecting support across settings.

In June 2026, a key person helped staff understand each child's needs, and settling arrangements were adjusted both for new families and for children moving into older rooms. Parents' evenings and an online app kept families involved in care and development.

Rest, handwashing and safer sleep formed part of daily care at that time. Mealtimes needed further work: babies did not consistently get opportunities to socialise, and older children needed more encouragement to cut food and use cutlery independently.

The address is 7 Lodge Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 7LE. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holidays and one week at Christmas closed. Those closures matter for families arranging cover around work.

• Mealtime independence. In June 2026, babies' social opportunities and older children's cutlery skills needed more attention. During a visit, ask how mealtimes now build those skills.
• Teaching interactions. In June 2026, staff relied too heavily on questions to extend learning. Ask for an example of how practitioners now demonstrate an idea and help children develop it through play.
• Christmas cover. The nursery closes for one week at Christmas as well as bank holidays. Families needing care throughout that period will need to plan around the closure.

Cherry Tree merits consideration for families who value individually adapted support and close communication about their child's care. Its June 2026 examples make that support tangible, from visual timetables to adjusted settling arrangements. The same picture includes clear work to do on teaching interactions and mealtime independence, making those useful subjects for a visit.