The Nancy Harper Nursery

An ice-cream parlour for imaginative play and an allotment for growing food give The Nancy Harper Nursery's June 2022 picture its character. Based at St Faith's Parish Hall in St Cross, Winchester, it has capacity for 36 children; those attending in June 2022 were aged two to four.

At its 30 June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The practical picture is of a term-time setting, with books, physical play and growing independence prominent in that dated account.

In June 2022, children could choose resources around the hall, pedal bicycles and ride scooters. The nursery ice-cream parlour gave pretend play a concrete setting: children took on the role of selling to their friends.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2022 activities illustrate learning through play: number games involved matching quantities, while rice in a tuff tray prompted conversations about sensations. Book sharing included predicting the story and discussing the different jobs of authors and illustrators.

The nursery allotment connected growing food with conversations about eating. Recognising their names and making marks on different surfaces also gave children practical preparation for their next stage of learning.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that key-person relationships helped children settle, assessments informed their next learning steps, and staff supported emotional understanding and personal care. Familiar adults knew children's preferences and used them to plan activities.

In June 2022, children brought healthy snacks from home and ate together, making snack time a shared social occasion. Children also practised opening their own containers and water bottles.

There were two improvements to make that June: staff coaching and supervision needed a more structured approach, and changes between activities needed better preparation. Some children hurried their work or became frustrated when play ended abruptly. These are useful questions about the rhythm of the day, as well as staff development.

The address is St Faith's Parish Hall, Back Street, St Cross, Winchester, SO23 9SB.

In June 2022, opening hours were 9am to 1.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Thursday, during term time. These dated hours describe a shorter nursery day rather than an all-day opening window.

At that time, the nursery received funding for free early education for three- and four-year-olds.

• Changes during the day. In June 2022, some children had too little warning before tidying up or snack time. Ask how staff now help children finish their play and prepare for the next activity.
• Staff development. The June 2022 improvement priorities included more systematic coaching and supervision. Ask how feedback on teaching now works in practice.
• Attendance planning. The June 2022 timetable was term-time, with an earlier Thursday finish. What attendance arrangements and funded-hours terms would apply to your child now?

The June 2022 account will appeal to families who value shared stories, imaginative play and opportunities for children to manage everyday tasks themselves. Its Good judgement sits alongside specific improvements to routines and staff support. For parents seeking a shorter, term-time nursery day, the dated timetable provides a useful starting point for that attendance discussion.