Day Care Nurseries

Treasure baskets for babies and tree stumps turned into pretend steering wheels give Day Care Nurseries a recognisable character: simple materials become opportunities to investigate and invent. These were features of daily life in May 2024. At its 29 May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with SEND exceptionally well targeted.

Based at Ashwood in Stoke-on-Trent, the nursery has capacity for 57 children aged 1 to 60 months. Its inspection account gives parents concrete examples of care and learning to weigh alongside the practical arrangements.

In May 2024, babies handled objects from treasure baskets, practising coordination as they explored. Older children made imaginary vehicles with tree stumps and worked together to move logs for a pretend road. The materials left room for children to decide what their play would become.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and growing independence into the child's day. In May 2024, staff repeated words with babies and helped older children practise sounds and extend their vocabulary. Walks involved listening to traffic and birds; visits to shops, the library and a local park connected learning with familiar community places.

In May 2024, children had a consistent key person, while newcomers received additional comfort. Staff responded to tired or upset babies with reassurance. Behaviour guidance used consistent responses and praise for small achievements, giving children encouragement as they learnt to manage themselves.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children, including those with SEND, made exceptional progress, with staff working alongside families, outside agencies and transition schools. Practical preparation included babies using spoons, toddlers learning toilet routines and handwashing, and older children recognising their names and practising letters and numbers.

During that month, watch me play sessions demonstrated ways parents could extend learning through play at home. Daily updates combined conversation with a secure online system. Staff also shared training with colleagues. Meals and snacks supported healthy eating, while older children practised toothbrushing and children spent time in fresh air each day.

The address is Ashwood, 3-4 Ashwood Terrace, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1DU. Opening hours are 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In May 2024, session times ran from 7am to 5.30pm, and funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are inspection-date arrangements.

• Early start, earlier finish. The 7am opening supports early working days; the 5.30pm finish needs to fit the family's collection arrangements.
• Funding and booking. Funded provision covered two-, three- and four-year-olds in May 2024. At a visit, what attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements apply now, including responsibility for meals and consumables?

Day Care Nurseries suits families seeking care from infancy onwards and those whose working day fits its early opening and 5.30pm finish. The May 2024 examples give its Outstanding judgement substance: imaginative play, consistent relationships and practical steps towards independence.