Muddy Boots Sunshine Room

Fruit trees, insect searches and adventurous garden play shaped Muddy Boots Sunshine Room's July 2022 inspection account. At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, finding exceptionally strong education and progress. That judgement provides a clear starting point, while the examples below describe practice at that date.

Based at The Reading Room in Ninfield, the nursery has 18 places in total and accepts children aged 10 to 38 months. Its emphasis on young children makes the detail of relationships and physical exploration especially relevant to families choosing early childcare.

In July 2022, children examined insects and bark with magnifying glasses, selected materials for their own artwork and collaborated on a water chute between trays. These were hands-on opportunities to investigate, make decisions and keep trying when a task needed another attempt.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the July 2022 examples show learning through play, conversation and practical exploration. Staff joined children's activities and extended them through questions and timely help, rather than directing every step.

Outside, children tackled garden slopes, climbed trees and practised balancing on beams in July 2022. Fruit growing added another dimension: staff helped children reach pears and plums, recognise ripeness and taste greengage plums at snack time. Nature supplied both things to investigate and experiences to talk about.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and additional support carefully tailored, with strong progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language.

In July 2022, close relationships showed themselves in children seeking cuddles, sharing books with staff and talking about their day. Practitioners used signs alongside speech and included children's home languages. Support therefore extended beyond spoken English alone.

Children also practised sharing and taking turns in July 2022, including waiting for friends at mealtimes. Staff worked closely with families and other professionals, while supervision, team meetings and training supported their work. The combination linked everyday care with attention to individual needs.

The address is The Reading Room, Church Lane, Ninfield, TN33 9JW. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday.

The accepted age range is 10 to 38 months, so this is an option for families seeking care during the baby and toddler years. The whole-setting capacity of 18 should be understood separately from the number of children sharing an activity or attending on any particular day.

• Early-years age span. Care covers 10 to 38 months. Families planning several years of childcare should factor that upper age limit into their choice.
• Outdoor exploration. In July 2022, garden play included tree climbing, slopes and balance beams. This emphasis will matter to families who value physical challenge and contact with nature.
• Settling today. Children sought comfort readily from staff in July 2022. How would settling and the key-person relationship work for your child now?

Muddy Boots Sunshine Room serves families seeking baby and toddler care; its July 2022 inspection account will interest those who value an outdoor emphasis. Its July 2022 examples are memorable: investigating bark, constructing water chutes and tasting garden fruit. The Outstanding judgement belongs to that inspection date; the strongest decision value lies in those concrete examples of play and relationships.