MiniToTs Daycare, Stanwell

Storytelling, simple signing and practical independence give MiniToTs Daycare, Stanwell its character in the July 2024 account of nursery life. Children retold familiar stories with pictures, explored water flowing through funnels and pipes, and learnt words for their feelings. These are concrete ways to build communication through play.

At its 15 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 58 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months. Its opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and everyday routines help children develop their skills. In July 2024, activities took place indoors and outside, with children's interests informing what staff planned.

For the youngest children, the emphasis that July was on relationships with families, movement and communication. Older children practised speaking, social interaction and doing things for themselves. Water play involved questions about getting water through a funnel and along a pipe, giving children a practical problem to explore. However, activities sometimes needed more stretch for children already capable of more demanding learning.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt supplied familiar pictures for retelling a story and learning vocabulary. The Playground is like the Jungle supported conversations about the next stage of education. Both featured in July 2024, making stories useful starting points for language and change.

In July 2024, staff used pictures and simple signs to help children understand and communicate. They also introduced words for emotions, giving children ways to explain their feelings. Independence appeared in small routines, including taking used plates away for washing.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found children with additional needs or disabilities, children learning English as an additional language and funded children were well supported. Attention-building activities involved staff revealing interesting objects to encourage listening and concentration.

Parents received conversations about their child's day and online updates about activities in July 2024. Staff also liaised with schools ahead of Reception, although information-sharing with other childcare settings needed development. Preschool lunchtime organisation was another weakness: some children did not consistently receive the support they needed.

The address is St Marys Crescent, Staines Upon Thames, TW19 7HU. The nursery opens throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In July 2024, it occupied two purpose-built buildings within the grounds of Town Farm Primary School. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place; families still use the local authority admissions process.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four was offered in July 2024. Additional funding then helped eligible children receive cooked meals and attend extra sessions. This was targeted support, rather than a statement about every child's meals or attendance.

• Stretch in learning. July 2024 activities did not always challenge the most capable children sufficiently. This matters for children ready to take their play and problem-solving further.
• Preschool lunches. Some children received less support during lunchtime in July 2024. The organisation of that routine was an improvement priority.
• Care across settings. Partnerships with other childcare settings needed strengthening in July 2024. Families combining providers have a particular interest in how developmental information is shared.
• Attendance planning. The nursery opens from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and closes for bank holidays and a Christmas week. Which booking pattern would fit your family's routine?

MiniToTs suits families seeking an all-year weekday nursery with an early opening time. Its July 2024 strengths were concrete: communication through signs, pictures and stories, alongside everyday independence. The balance is clear: challenge for more capable children, preschool lunchtime support and coordination across childcare settings were the areas needing attention.