Eastwood Community Early Years

In October 2021, den building, garden writing and outdoor climbing gave Eastwood Community Early Years a recognisable character. At its October 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Those findings provide a dated picture of care and learning, rather than a description of today's daily routine.

Based at Edwards Hall Primary School on Macmurdo Road in Leigh On Sea, SS9 5AQ, the nursery has 40 places in total for children aged 24 to 60 months. It operates during term time.

In October 2021, older children attended forest school weekly, learning outdoors through digging, building and exploring. Finding tree roots prompted discussion about growth; weaving branches into a den involved practical construction, while comparing sticks brought mathematics into play. Outdoor activity had a clear learning purpose.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the October 2021 activities connected those strands through language, movement and practical exploration: threading and scented dough exercised the small movements needed for writing, while adults repeated children's speech with clearer pronunciation and sentence structure.

The garden also offered chalk boards for children who preferred writing outdoors. In October 2021, three climbing frames provided different physical challenges, with adults helping younger children use smaller equipment. This gave children different ways to participate rather than expecting everyone to tackle the same task.

In October 2021, key persons adapted settling arrangements to each child's starting point. Staff also acknowledged upset feelings and helped children consider another child's perspective when sharing tools. These were concrete ways of supporting relationships during ordinary play.

In October 2021, additional funding helped children take part in activities, and staff worked with parents and other agencies to support their care. Joint workshops with the school on site helped prepare children for their next educational stage.

Communication was part of that support. In October 2021, parents valued their contact with staff, while key persons' knowledge of individual children connected settling arrangements with ongoing care.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. For families organising work and childcare, the distinction matters: the daily opening window is broad, but attendance follows the term-time calendar.

The setting shares the Edwards Hall Primary School site. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The October 2021 joint workshops supported transition, rather than conferring an admissions advantage.

• Group activities. In October 2021, some younger children and children seated towards the back lost interest during a large-group activity. Improving how group times engaged each participant was an improvement priority, relevant to children who need more individual involvement.
• Individual identity. The October 2021 findings called for more consistent opportunities for children to explore similarities, differences and what made them individual. This matters alongside the practical outdoor learning.
• Term-time arrangements. The nursery operates during term time. At a visit, which booking pattern would fit your family's working week?

Eastwood Community Early Years suits families seeking term-time childcare with an outdoor learning emphasis in its October 2021 inspection picture. Forest school, garden writing and graduated climbing challenges gave that account substance. The Good judgement sits alongside specific improvement priorities concerning group participation and children's understanding of individuality. Both belong in a family's decision.