Castle Nursery, Shamley Green

Learning to pour a drink, pull on a coat and recognise a feeling gives this nursery's February 2025 account its character: small steps towards independence, woven into ordinary play. Castle Nursery, Shamley Green has capacity for 39 children aged 3–60 months, on Guildford Road in Shamley Green.

At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) worked well. The main improvement point concerned taking children's curiosity further.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the February 2025 activities connected play with practical skills and understanding feelings. Children practised dressing themselves and serving food. These everyday tasks gave them opportunities to attempt things independently rather than wait for an adult.

A weather episode captured both the appeal and the limitation of the learning. In February 2025, children investigated falling hail and listened beneath an overhead cover. Staff drew them into the experience, but did not consistently develop the questions and interests it prompted. Extending those moments was the improvement requested.

Feelings also became something children could explore together. During that February visit, a group activity invited them to discuss happiness, sadness and frustration, then express emotions through their faces and movements. It gave children different ways to communicate how they felt.

In February 2025, staff comforted unsettled children with affection and stayed attentive as they became familiar with their surroundings. Children approached adults both for reassurance and to share experiences. Clear behavioural expectations, respectful conversation and reminders about manners helped make relationships predictable.

Support for SEND at that time involved referrals to outside agencies, collaboration with families and professionals, and individual plans with goals. These were practical mechanisms for tailoring support to a child's development.

Mealtimes offered further practice: children poured drinks, carried them to the table and tried feeding themselves. Staff also discussed nutritious food, exercise and hygiene. In the preschool room, children helped examine the garden for hazards before outdoor play, making safety something they participated in.

The address is Guildford Road, Shamley Green, Guildford, GU5 0RS. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In February 2025, the nursery provided government-funded early years places.

• Following curiosity further. The February 2025 improvement point concerned extending children's interests. On a visit, ask how staff now build on an unexpected discovery such as changing weather.
• Your attendance pattern. The weekday opening window runs from 8am to 6pm. Ask which booking arrangement would fit your family's working week.

Castle Nursery, Shamley Green merits consideration for families seeking weekday childcare with an emphasis on practical independence. Its February 2025 account combines affectionate care, opportunities to manage everyday tasks and structured support for individual needs. Families who value exploratory learning should pay particular attention to how staff now extend children's questions.