Southernwood Nursery

Weekly care-home visits gave Southernwood Nursery's children a reason to practise conversation beyond their usual circle in November 2023. Community contact was part of learning, alongside counting games, singing and physical activity.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and identified positive progress for children, including those with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. Southernwood Nursery is on Greenway Road in Torquay, TQ2 6JE, with capacity for 36 children aged 24 to 60 months.

In November 2023, learning followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and planned activities helped children practise communication, movement and early mathematics. Children chose resources independently, while adult-led games included hopping and jumping, followed by breathing exercises.

Care-home visits took place weekly that month. Children sang with residents and made pretend rockets ahead of Bonfire Night, giving conversation and creative activity a shared purpose. Outdoors, discarded plastic bottles became counting resources, while natural materials were used to build shelters for insects. Recycling became something children could do themselves.

Individual counting activities involved matching number names to objects. Picture prompts helped children select songs, and missing-word games encouraged them to join in.

In November 2023, photographs brought from home prompted conversations about children's experiences. Staff used cues about the next activity to help with transitions and encouraged children to put feelings into words. New starters received physical comfort and reassurance.

Parents received updates through an online communication system and daily conversations. Families also contributed their occupational experience, introducing children to work such as singing, music and football. NSPCC activities explored body ownership and speaking to a trusted adult about worries; parents received guidance about online safety at home.

The nursery opens from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. Its address is Greenway Road, Torquay, TQ2 6JE.

In November 2023, the nursery received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position rather than a promise of an individual funded place.

• Learning during free play. In November 2023, staff often described children's activity rather than extending it through what children already knew. Ask how practitioners now build further learning into child-led play.
• Settling into activity. That month, some new children spent extended periods being held before joining learning experiences. Discuss how comfort and participation are balanced during settling.
• Attendance and costs. How would your proposed attendance pattern work, including funded hours, meals and consumables, and what would the nursery's written quotation cover?

Southernwood Nursery suits families seeking care for children aged 24 to 60 months who value community contact and practical learning. Its November 2023 experience combined weekly care-home visits with songs, movement and hands-on counting. The main decision point is how consistently staff extend learning during free play and help new children move from reassurance into activity.