Margery's Private Day Nursery

Gruffalo models, bug hunts and stories about feelings give Margery's Private Day Nursery a recognisable character in its February 2022 account of daily life. Based on High Street in Thorpe le Soken, it has capacity for 32 children, from birth to five years old.

At its February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good. The practical emphasis in that account was on children choosing materials, following their interests and building confidence through familiar relationships.

In February 2022, children could reach paint and craft materials themselves, while toddlers fetched their own play dough. Gruffalo modelling and painting linked stories with creative work. Having materials within reach gave children scope to choose what to make rather than wait for an adult to organise everything.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In February 2022, activities covered its seven areas of learning, with play bringing together conversation, cooperation and practical exploration.

Outdoor learning that month included searching for insects with magnifying glasses and binoculars, then handling them carefully. A wooden gate also became a learning opportunity: toddlers investigated its catch, and staff supplied indoor resources to continue exploring how catches and locks worked. Children's curiosity shaped the next activity.

Group work needed more stretch. In February 2022, adults sometimes missed opportunities to get children explaining their reasoning and developing their own solutions, including during a shared building activity.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children progressing well and those needing additional help receiving strong support. These are dated judgements.

During February 2022, the key-person arrangement gave babies a familiar adult for comfort, including cuddles and teething rings. Colour Monster stories helped children find words for feelings such as anger and sadness, giving them a starting point for talking about emotions.

Communication extended beyond updates. In February 2022, practitioners shared learning ideas with parents, offered home visits to discuss progress and strategies, and ran a lending book library. Those arrangements connected nursery activities with what families could do at home.

The address is High Street, Thorpe le Soken, Frinton on Sea, CO16 0EF. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In February 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated description of its funding offer.

• Challenge in group activities. February 2022 findings identified missed opportunities to extend children's explanations and problem-solving. During a visit, ask how practitioners now stretch children's thinking in shared activities.
• Care across the age range. The nursery accepts children from birth to five; the February 2022 account included comfort for babies and exploratory play for toddlers. Ask how a proposed attendance pattern fits your child's routines and what the current written quotation includes.

Margery's suits families seeking care from infancy through the preschool years, with weekday opening across the year. Its February 2022 account offers concrete examples of child-led exploration and practical support for families. The Good judgement is a useful reference point; the need for more challenging group activities deserves attention alongside it.