Tots Village Nursery

Mud, herbs and a pretend cake capture the character of Tots Village Nursery: in February 2023, children worked with staff to invent a recipe, consider how to cook it and solve problems together. Play gave them something to think through, rather than simply something to do.

Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding at its 27 February 2023 inspection, praising the curriculum and children's progress. On Burntwood Lane in Caterham, it has capacity for 43 children and accepts ages from 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the February 2023 examples show how play linked language, practical exploration and thinking. While digging outdoors, children connected a plant's need for water with their own understanding of staying healthy.

Literacy extended beyond listening to stories. In February 2023, babies responded to expressive storytelling, older children invented stories using puppets representing emotions, and families could take books home through the nursery's lending library. That gave stories a place both in nursery activities and at home.

Name cards also served a practical purpose that month: children recognised their names before moving into activities they chose themselves. Outdoor exploration offered opportunities to develop stamina and physical skills.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and highlighted how the special educational needs coordinator sought professional advice to shape timely, individual support. Staff understood how to raise welfare concerns, and induction covered safeguarding and supervision.

In February 2023, starting arrangements were adapted to individual children, helping them become familiar with routines. Independence developed through small tasks: toddlers fed themselves, while preschool children handled coat fastenings and helped friends do the same. Adults remained nearby to guide them.

Parents received information to support learning at home, while leaders monitored children's development, educational provision and staff practice. Nursery meals prompted conversations about ingredients, and a dentist's visit gave children ideas about tooth care. These were practical opportunities to connect health with everyday choices.

Burntwood Lane, Caterham, CR3 5YX is the nursery's address. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. That calendar matters for families organising care around work throughout the year.

In February 2023, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise about a particular child's funded place.

• Starting nursery. Individual starting arrangements helped children settle in February 2023. How would the settling plan work for your child's routines and comfort needs?
• Christmas cover. The nursery closes for one week at Christmas as well as bank holidays. Families needing care during that break will need an alternative arrangement.

Tots Village Nursery suits families seeking weekday care across the year, with an interest in learning through practical play and growing independence. Its Outstanding February 2023 judgement provides a clear quality reference, while the lending library, collaborative pretend cooking and everyday self-care give that judgement concrete meaning. The Christmas closure is the main calendar consideration.