Four Seasons Nursery & Pre-School CIC

Chicks hatching, fruit seeds planted in the garden and children building obstacle courses give Four Seasons Nursery & Pre-School CIC a practical, hands-on character in its March 2026 snapshot. The Stevenage setting has capacity for 26 children.

At its March 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard for achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership and governance; curriculum and teaching received Expected standard, and safeguarding standards were met. The distinction matters: care and relationships earned stronger judgements than teaching.

In March 2026, children explored how chicks develop, then revisited that learning through pretend play and conversation. Weekly organised sports activities combined movement with practising patience and cooperation. In the garden, children constructed obstacle courses and helped friends complete them. These experiences linked physical activity with learning to work together.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care. Here, the March 2026 account illustrated learning through play, conversation, songs and shared routines.

Teaching had a specific weakness. In March 2026, teaching was insufficiently adjusted for children's different abilities during busy group activities, but only on rare occasions. More consistent adaptation was the next step, so families should weigh the engaging activities alongside that limitation.

At its March 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made sustained progress through responsive support, with additional funding used effectively for individual needs. Practical adaptations included communication prompts, simple signing and equipment that helped children participate at mealtimes.

In March 2026, each child had two key persons, providing continuity when a member of staff was absent. Children sought comfort from familiar adults, while staff shared positive behaviour strategies with families. Daily conversations gave those relationships a practical foundation.

Parents also contributed holiday photographs and videos, which staff used to explore countries and traditions with the children. Work with families and other professionals extended to planning a suitable next educational setting for children needing additional support.

The address is Grounds of Roebuck Academy, St Margarets, Stevenage, SG2 8RF. In March 2026, the children attending were aged one to four, and opening hours were Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm; those details describe that dated snapshot.

In March 2026, children brought packed lunches and supplemented them with fruit, which they prepared and used for seed planting. Adults ate alongside them, making lunch a shared social routine.

Being on academy grounds does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Group teaching. Adapting teaching to different abilities remained the March 2026 improvement priority. Ask how staff now organise busy group activities so each child can participate meaningfully.
• School-site setting. The address places the nursery in the grounds of Roebuck Academy. Treat nursery attendance and a Reception application as separate decisions.

Four Seasons suits families who value practical play, close relationships with familiar adults and participation supported through concrete adaptations. The March 2026 picture gives substance to that combination: chicks, garden challenges, shared meals and family contributions all had a role. The reservation is equally clear: teaching needed more consistent adjustment when groups became busy.