Thomas Boughey Kindergarten and Day Care

An allotment, books to borrow and outings into the local community give Thomas Boughey Kindergarten and Day Care a recognisable character in its October 2021 account. Growing food and sharing stories connected children's learning with experiences beyond their activities indoors.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 13 October 2021. Based at The Thomas Boughey Childrens Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, it has capacity for 56 children aged three months to five years.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: activities help children build skills alongside their everyday care routines.

In October 2021, babies explored vegetable printing and handprints, while toddlers mixed ingredients to make play dough. Older children made pictures and tackled problems on an interactive whiteboard, with a role-play house supporting imaginative play. Activities were planned around individual interests and the next steps in children's learning.

Outdoor experiences in October 2021 included climbing, balancing and tending the allotment. Children discussed fruit and vegetables they had grown and tasted, linking physical activity with practical knowledge of food. Watching caterpillars become butterflies added another opportunity to explore nature.

Reading extended into family life. In October 2021, parents were challenged to read 25 books with their child, supported by books they could borrow. Community outings included food shops, a mosque, a church and the train station, introducing children to places and experiences beyond the nursery.

At the October 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children making good learning progress and strong support for children learning English as an additional language. Communication assessments on entry and targeted small-group work formed part of that support.

In October 2021, children sought comfort from staff and practised sharing and taking turns, with kindness recognised by adults. Parents received information about activities alongside resources and ideas for continuing learning at home. That gave families something practical to build on.

Management oversight in October 2021 included reviewing planning and questioning staff about children's learning. Staff development received attention, while wellbeing support included mindfulness parcels and opportunities to discuss concerns with directors.

The address is The Thomas Boughey Childrens Centre, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DQ.

In October 2021, the nursery opened Monday to Friday, all year round, with sessions from 7.30am until 6pm.

In October 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. This is a dated account of its funding offer.

• Participation in activities. In October 2021, some group activities needed better organisation so every child could participate fully. During a visit, ask how group experiences are organised now.
• Extending learning. The October 2021 improvement priorities also included helping staff develop activities further. Ask how practitioners build on a child's interest once an activity is underway.
• Attendance arrangements. For a family considering care from three months through to five years, which booking patterns and opening hours would fit the child's routine?

Thomas Boughey suits parents who value practical exploration, reading together and experiences in the local community. Its October 2021 account gives concrete examples of those priorities, alongside two useful questions about participation and extending learning. The Good judgement belongs to that date; the allotment and family reading work give the account its strongest character.