Karetakers Day Nursery

Spoon practice for babies, seed planting outdoors and older children managing their own coats give Karetakers Day Nursery a practical emphasis on growing independence. These were features of daily life in June 2024, with routines helping children take on tasks for themselves.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 12 June 2024 inspection. On Drayton Road in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, it has capacity for 104 children, with provision spanning babies and older children.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2024 experience included play, conversation, physical activity and learning to manage everyday tasks. Activities took account of children's interests and what they were ready to learn next, rather than giving everyone the same starting point.

Outdoor areas provided opportunities for cycling, climbing and running in June 2024. Planting bulbs and seeds added hands-on exploration of nature. Songs, stories and rhymes with actions gave children repeated opportunities to hear and use language.

Mathematics needed more attention. In June 2024, staff sometimes overlooked opportunities to introduce mathematical language during play; counting, number knowledge and other mathematical ideas needed stronger teaching. Some group sessions also engaged older or more confident children more successfully than their younger or quieter peers. That distinction matters when judging whether an activity works for every child taking part.

At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that safeguarding arrangements were effective and that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, made good progress from their starting points.

In June 2024, staff gathered information from parents about children's existing abilities before planning their first sessions. Key-person planning identified individual next steps, while work with parents and other professionals supported children with additional needs. Behaviour support was adapted to children's understanding, including practice in sharing and taking turns.

Communication had two useful layers in June 2024: online learning records that parents could contribute to, and daily diaries covering the youngest children's care and routines. Photographs helped families follow learning. Regular staff supervision also identified training needs, although more targeted training remained an improvement priority.

Drayton Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1EQ is the nursery's address. Opening hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round operation except for bank holidays and Christmas.

Full-day attendance is offered. In June 2024, sessions ran from 7.30am to 5.30pm, and the nursery received funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Mathematics through play. June 2024 teaching sometimes missed opportunities to extend number language. Look for how counting and mathematical ideas are now built into everyday activities.
• Participation in groups. Some younger or less-confident children participated less consistently in June 2024. A visit is a useful opportunity to discuss how group activities are adapted for them.
• Youngest children's routines. Daily diaries covered care and routines in June 2024. How would these connect with your baby's home routine when settling in?

Karetakers suits families seeking full-day attendance across the year, with a June 2024 account centred on practical independence, outdoor movement and communication with parents. The balance to examine is teaching: mathematics, participation in groups and targeted staff development were the specific areas needing attention.