Little Pals Nursery, Hemmington House

Water play, homemade ramps and a family tree display give Hemmington House's May 2022 daily life its character: children experimented with ordinary materials and shared stories about people important to them. This is a small setting, with capacity for 24 children aged 24 to 60 months.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted graded the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. The improvement priorities were specific: keeping children involved throughout the day's routines and making support for managing emotions more consistent.

In May 2022, children built ramps with wood and milk crates, turned a cardboard box into different imaginary settings and explored water in both rooms. These materials gave them choices about how to play, rather than a single task to complete.

The EYFS sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the May 2022 examples included conversation, imaginative play and physical exploration. Songs, books and work in smaller groups supported speaking, while staff named objects and described play for children who were not yet communicating verbally.

In May 2022, children used a large outdoor area. Bikes and a slide also helped them practise physical skills. In May 2022, scissors and play dough also gave children practice with smaller hand movements, while community visits included learning about road safety.

In May 2022, children used the family tree display to talk about relatives, and older children helped younger ones participate in games. Drinking water independently and requesting a snack gave children practical opportunities to manage their own needs.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs coordinator worked closely with other professionals on support strategies, but identified inconsistent help for children struggling to manage their behaviour. Staff used a visual timer for sharing and helped children name feelings; the concern was how reliably that support helped children calm down.

Hemmington House is at 51-53 Broadway, Clacton-On-Sea, CO15 2EX. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure during school holidays.

In May 2022, session times were 9am to midday and 12.30pm to 3pm. Funded early education then covered two-, three- and four-year-old children. These are dated attendance arrangements, separate from the current opening hours.

• Engagement through the morning. In May 2022, some children lost interest during mid-morning routines, affecting others' enjoyment too. The balance between shared routines and individual activity matters here.
• Help with strong feelings. The May 2022 improvement priority concerned consistency when children needed support to calm themselves. Families whose children need this help should weigh that finding alongside the practical strategies described above.
• Funded attendance. Funding supported children in May 2022. During a visit, what would a current funded booking cover, including meals and consumables?

Little Pals suits families seeking term-time care for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its May 2022 experiences combined inventive play, outdoor movement and everyday independence. The reservations are equally concrete: engagement during routines and consistency in emotional support deserve attention when weighing this setting.