Partou Magic Tree Day Nursery & Pre-school

Mud, water and growing independence characterised Magic Tree's nursery day in October 2023. At its 17 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children were progressing well across their learning and development.

Partou Magic Tree Day Nursery & Pre-school occupies a building on the St Paul's Catholic Primary School site in Yate. It accepts children aged 3 to 60 months and has capacity for 61 children. The school-site address is useful context, but nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

The early years foundation stage sets the expectations for children's learning, development and care: in everyday terms, play supports movement, communication, relationships and early understanding of the world.

In October 2023, babies practised moving through climbing and supported standing, toddlers investigated mud and water outdoors, and preschool children developed ideas through imaginative play. Those experiences gave different ages different ways to explore. Children also chose activities themselves, while staff planned around their interests and what they were ready to learn next.

Planning in October 2023 drew on practitioners' knowledge of individual children and their assessments. Activities therefore connected with a child's existing abilities, rather than treating everyone as ready for the same task. Staff also had a clear picture of the knowledge and skills children needed before starting school. For parents, the useful connection is between enjoyable play now and the next step a practitioner wants a child to take.

Conversation ran through play that October, with children talking to adults and one another. Children learning English alongside another language were also making progress. This gives the questioning priority practical significance: an adult asking a question is only part of the exchange. Leaving space for a child to answer matters too.

Drawing offered another route into learning that October. Colour songs accompanied mark-making, and staff used spontaneous play to introduce number and mathematical vocabulary. However, the October 2023 inspection identified two teaching priorities: allowing children longer to formulate answers and extending interactions so that learning offered greater challenge.

In October 2023, children formed close connections with their key person and moved comfortably between rooms as they grew older. Staff helped them recognise emotions and understand expectations for behaviour. These relationships mattered alongside the activities: children had a familiar adult supporting them through change.

Everyday independence was visible that October too. Children helped themselves to food and drink, washed their hands and faces, and managed their shoes. Parents received daily conversations about their child's experiences, alongside practical guidance on potty training and dummy use. This connected nursery routines with life at home.

Social learning in October 2023 included children playing together cooperatively and adults modelling the behaviour they expected. Help with emotions sat alongside these shared experiences. For a young child, learning to join another child's play and understanding a difficult feeling are connected parts of getting through the day with others.

Outdoor activity also formed part of the October 2023 routine, with repeated opportunities for fresh air and active play during the day. Movement was therefore woven into daily experiences as well as the babies' climbing opportunities. That gives families a concrete picture of how physical development featured alongside conversation and creative play.

The address is St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Sundridge Park, Yate, Bristol, BS37 4EP. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening except bank holidays and one week at Christmas. That Christmas closure needs to fit the family's working calendar.

In October 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Conversation and challenge. The October 2023 teaching priorities concerned thinking time and extending children's learning. On a visit, ask how practitioners now develop a child's answer or take a chosen activity further.
• Growing independence. Children managed food, washing and shoes in October 2023. Ask how the key person adapts these routines and settling arrangements to your child's stage.
• Working-year fit. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm, with bank-holiday and Christmas closures. Build those closures into your childcare plans.

Magic Tree merits consideration for Yate families seeking weekday childcare across the year. Its October 2023 strengths included familiar key-person relationships, sensory exploration and practical independence. The teaching priorities make the quality of everyday conversation a useful point to explore before choosing.