Small Friends Day Nursery

A pretend café became an exercise in writing, tasting and painting at Small Friends Day Nursery in May 2022. Children supplied the ideas; staff helped turn them into learning. That example captures the strongest reason to consider this Leigh-on-Sea setting: children had a meaningful part in shaping their activities.

At its 25 May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated Small Friends Outstanding overall and found exceptional support for language, literacy and children's preparation for their next stage of learning. The nursery has capacity for 60 children, with an accepted age range of 24 to 60 months. Its address is 15 Rectory Grove, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2HA.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing education and everyday wellbeing into the same nursery day. In May 2022, activities developed from children's interests rather than relying solely on adults choosing the subject. The café example made writing purposeful: children could use it to take orders as part of their play. Food tasting and painting with fruit extended the same idea into other experiences.

Language also grew through conversation and imaginative activity that month. Staff introduced vocabulary connected with volcanoes, including magma and lava, while children experimented with rhyming and invented stories. Puppets, singing and expressive actions gave them further reasons to listen and contribute. These examples show parents what learning through play looked like in practice: a conversation, song or game could become an opportunity to explore words.

Writing extended beyond a single activity in May 2022. Children made recipes and name cards and added labels to photographs of flowers. Letters had a use within their play, rather than appearing only in a separate writing task. Children also recalled familiar stories and created their own versions, linking listening with imagination.

Independence was visible in ordinary routines that month. Younger children helped clear up and dispose of rubbish, while children reminded one another to move more carefully. They contributed suggestions to songs, too, choosing a shark and inventing an accompanying sound. For a parent, the useful distinction is that participation included both small responsibilities and opportunities to influence an activity.

In May 2022, staff used stories to explore feelings as well as language. A discussion about Goldilocks prompted children to consider how to put things right for the bears, from repairing damage to offering comfort. Younger children received help to recognise sadness and express what would help them. Emotional support took a concrete form: naming a feeling, considering another person's perspective and finding a response.

Relationships also appeared in small acts of consideration that month. Children helped friends notice food left on their faces and used signing to communicate with one another. Staff modelled courtesy in their own interactions. These everyday examples give a clearer picture of the social experience than a general promise of kindness.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff understanding how to escalate concerns, regular safeguarding training and checks on staff suitability. In May 2022, managers also listened to staff feedback, and professional development formed part of the team's work. Partnerships with families included getting to know children's individual personalities and working with parents over the use of funding.

Small Friends opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas. The Rectory Grove address places the nursery in Leigh-on-Sea; the opening window gives families an early start and an evening collection point when planning their routine.

In May 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation should be kept separate from the attendance and charge arrangements a family agrees for a new place.

• Children shaping activities. The May 2022 café project grew from children's suggestions and combined writing with food experiences. On a visit, ask to see a recent example of how children's ideas become activities, and how staff involve children who are quieter about expressing them.
• Care across a long opening window. Weekday opening runs from 7.30am to 6.30pm. Ask how settling, rest and contact with a key person would work within your child's intended attendance pattern.
• Funding and the complete bill. Funded early education formed part of the offer in May 2022. Before joining, request a current written quotation covering your attendance pattern, funded hours, meals and consumables, so the arrangement can be assessed as a whole.

Small Friends suits families seeking care for toddlers and preschool children in Leigh-on-Sea who value children having a voice in their learning. Its May 2022 examples are persuasive: purposeful writing, imaginative conversation and practical help with emotions. The weekday opening window is useful for family planning; the visit should connect those educational examples with the routine your child would follow.