The Willows Day Nursery

Song props, puppet stories and pond dipping give The Willows Day Nursery in Fleet Hargate a recognisable character in its July 2023 account of daily life. Language and practical exploration sit together: children had opportunities to talk, make things and try experiences beyond the nursery.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 60 children aged 3 to 60 months. That whole-setting figure is not a room size or a count of children attending together.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2023 examples show what that meant in practice: songs and stories supported communication, while climbing and threading gave children opportunities to develop movement and hand control.

In July 2023, babies selected objects linked to songs, toddlers revisited familiar books, and preschool children used puppets and dough characters to tell fairy tales. These were different ways to participate in storytelling, rather than simply listen to an adult.

Physical activities also changed with children's development. In July 2023, babies climbed with supervision; toddlers practised passing pipe cleaners through bobbins, moving from adult help towards doing it themselves. The practical purpose was preparation for controlling a pencil.

The 50 top learning experiences was a staff-created list intended to broaden children's understanding of the world. In July 2023, examples included pond dipping, a café visit and travelling by bus. Its appeal lies in connecting nursery learning with experiences outside it.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified delays in access to external SEND services following a staffing change, and found that noisy surroundings sometimes reduced children's engagement in group activities; faster support and communication, alongside better organisation of group learning, were the improvement priorities.

In July 2023, individual behaviour plans were shared with parents, giving home and nursery a common approach. Breathing exercises and yoga helped children practise calming themselves. Staff also adjusted routines for children's health needs, and sleeping children received frequent checks.

Independence had a practical place in the July 2023 day: children served food, cleared their dishes and helped put play materials away. Conversations about sugar and tooth cleaning linked mealtimes with caring for their bodies, while these everyday responsibilities supported preparation for their next educational stage.

Old Main Road, Fleet Hargate, Holbeach, Spalding, PE12 8LL is the nursery's address. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.45pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In July 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Early SEND support. The July 2023 priority was quicker access to support and clearer communication. Ask how emerging needs are now identified, shared with parents and referred to external services.
• Group learning surroundings. Noise affected some listening activities in July 2023. On a visit, ask how quieter group activities are organised alongside busy play.

The Willows suits families who value storytelling, practical exploration and opportunities to develop independence. Those strengths are illustrated by its July 2023 practice, rather than a current account of every activity. The Good judgement provides a useful starting point, with timely SEND support and the organisation of group learning the two matters deserving closest attention.