Poppyseeds Day Nursery

In November 2022, a separate preschool building and a garden with both courtyard and grass gave Poppyseeds Day Nursery a recognisable shape. Its address is 18 Ermin Street, Brockworth, Gloucester GL3 4HJ, and it has capacity for 50 children.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 22 November 2022. Children attending then were aged 0 to 4. The account below describes practice in November 2022, with independence, conversation and relationships prominent in the children's day.

In November 2022, children used rooms organised by age, with preschool children in their own building. Everyday tasks provided opportunities to practise independence: babies cleaned their faces after eating, toddlers managed handwashing themselves and older children put their coats on.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the November 2022 activities connected play with practical skills: children progressed from making impressions in dough to shaping it, then used pincers to move pom-poms. That sequence gave small hand movements a purpose.

Language also ran through ordinary interactions. In November 2022, adults modelled speech for babies, added descriptive vocabulary to toddlers' sentences and addressed older children's misunderstandings. Books and songs supplied further opportunities to listen and talk. Train tracks, toy farms and castles drew on children's interests, giving them material for imaginative play together.

The garden combined grass and a courtyard in November 2022. Obstacle courses gave children opportunities to practise larger movements, although outdoor learning was not used consistently enough.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described collaboration with parents and other agencies that helped children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those learning English as an additional language, receive timely support.

In November 2022, extra meetings gave parents opportunities to discuss settling. Communication happened electronically and face to face, covering achievements and what children were working towards. Sharing familiar books helped parents continue learning at home.

Emotional understanding had practical expression too. In November 2022, children discussed feelings using colours, including red for anger, while adults supported them in managing behaviour. Children also practised consideration through caring for toys and helping to tidy them away.

In November 2022, opening hours were 7am to 6pm, and the nursery operated for 45 weeks or more each year. These are the arrangements at that date.

Funding for two- and three-year-olds was being received in November 2022. It also supported purchases of additional resources for children across the age groups.

• Quieter children. In November 2022, staff sometimes missed children who needed help to participate and remain engaged. Ask how practitioners now recognise and support a child who hangs back.
• Outdoor learning. In November 2022, adults did not consistently develop learning in the courtyard and grass space. Ask how those areas now contribute to children's activities.
• Attendance planning. The November 2022 opening window extended from 7am to 6pm. Which current booking patterns and funding arrangements would fit your family's week?

Poppyseeds suits consideration by families who value everyday independence, conversation and imaginative play. Its November 2022 picture combines practical learning with parent communication, while quieter children's participation and the use of the garden deserve attention when choosing it.