Little Orchard Nursery And Pre School

At Little Orchard Nursery And Pre School in January 2023, strawberries in a polytunnel and garden birdwatching gave learning a practical, outdoor character. In January 2023, children grew plants, observed birds and prepared snacks themselves: small tasks that made learning tangible.

At its 26 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. Based on Exeter Road in South Brent, it accepts children aged 24 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing these together through play and everyday activities. In January 2023, younger children explored shapes by posting them into a tin, while songs prompted counting and problem-solving with wooden slices.

Older children attended the gardening club, growing and tending strawberries in the onsite polytunnel. They also joined Garden Birdwatch, a birdwatching scheme, using binoculars made at home to watch birds in the garden. These activities connected growing things with close observation.

Spanish sessions led by visiting professionals added another language to the experience that January. Outdoors, rosemary, water and pipettes supplied materials for mixing potions, while younger children practised using pegs on dolls' washing. Both activities gave small hands purposeful work.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that individual support included children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and that activities helped develop communication and social skills.

That January, spaces containing fairy lights, stories and visual prompts helped children recognise their feelings. A large mouth model, toothbrushes, mirrors and a timer made dental care something children could explore; toothbrushing charts extended this work into the home.

Older children also helped prepare snacks, slicing bananas and buttering oatcakes. However, home-learning activities needed closer tailoring to individual children, and exchanges between age-group rooms were inconsistent, affecting the accuracy of information passed to parents. These are useful points to explore when assessing how daily communication works.

The address is Exeter Road, South Brent, TQ10 9JP. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In January 2023, the nursery received early education funding for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That dated participation should be kept separate from the terms of a current childcare arrangement.

• Information between rooms. In January 2023, staff exchanges between age groups needed improvement. Ask how information about a child's day now reaches the person speaking with parents.
• Learning at home. January 2023 activities included homemade birdwatching binoculars, but individual home learning needed development. Ask how suggestions are matched to your child's interests and next steps.
• Your attendance arrangement. The nursery opens throughout the year and closes for bank holidays and Christmas. During a visit, discuss which booking arrangement would fit your family.

Little Orchard's January 2023 inspection snapshot offers reasons for families seeking hands-on learning to consider it. It accepts children aged 24 to 60 months, with opening hours extending from morning into early evening. Its January 2023 experience combined gardening, birdwatching and everyday independence. The Good judgement provides a dated quality assessment; communication between rooms and personalised home learning deserve attention alongside those strengths.