Sandhills Day Nursery Wombourne

Storytelling, sensory play and pretend shopping give Sandhills Day Nursery Wombourne its clearest character. In February 2024, children explored dough and sand, acted out shopping in the home corner and joined familiar songs, with babies moving to the music and older children adding words and actions.

At its 5 February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made good progress. The setting has 91 places in total and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months. That whole-nursery capacity is separate from the size of an individual child's group.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: in practice, learning includes play, conversation and physical activity. In February 2024, the curriculum covered every area of learning, with communication receiving particular attention. Staff expanded children's spoken language and brought stories to life through expressive reading.

The home corner gave older children a setting for imaginative shopping games. Sand and dough offered opportunities to explore textures, handle tools and make marks; outdoor climbing, running and walking added physical challenges. These were different ways to learn, rather than a day built solely around adult instruction.

There were also clear teaching priorities in February 2024. Adult-directed activities needed closer adjustment to individual children's learning, while staff sometimes needed to make better use of their knowledge of children to sustain interest during freely chosen play. For parents, the useful distinction is between having appealing activities and helping each child remain involved in them.

In February 2024, settling sessions were adapted to each child. Staff gathered information from parents about individual needs and exchanged updates regularly, giving families a way to connect nursery experiences with support at home.

Developmental observations and assessments informed support plans. Where concerns arose, staff worked with families and other professionals, then tracked children's development over time. Information also passed between staff and onward settings during transitions, helping the next adults understand the child.

At that time, the nursery employed 28 childcare staff. Everyday care included prompt responses when children needed changing and comforting conversation during those routines. Care tasks were opportunities for personal contact, alongside the busier group activities.

Yew Tree Court, Maypole Street, Wombourne, WV5 9JB is the nursery's address. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas. The early start and evening finish are useful practical considerations for working families.

In February 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Families should use the nursery's current written quotation when budgeting for care.

• Individual attention during play. The February 2024 improvement priorities concerned adapting adult-directed learning and sustaining engagement during free play. On a visit, ask how staff now turn a child's interests into an activity that holds their attention.
• Settling into the group. Settling sessions were personalised in February 2024, and the nursery has 91 places overall. Ask how your child's settling plan will work in their room and what their usual group size will be.

Sandhills suits families seeking care in Wombourne with an early opening, an evening finish and attendance across the year. Its February 2024 strengths lay in responsive relationships, language-rich activities and practical support planning. The teaching priorities make individual engagement the most useful point to explore when choosing it.