Daydream Nursery

A mud kitchen, purpose-built Forest School facilities and learning shaped around children's interests give Daydream Nursery in Woking its character. Outdoor exploration has a clear place here. The garden supports daily play, while a dedicated Forest School leader brings an organised outdoor learning strand to the nursery day.

Daydream welcomes children from 3 months through to preschool and has 68 places in total. At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. That is a dated judgement, with useful detail beneath it: imaginative play and communication featured prominently, alongside improvements needed in home-language support and learning advice for parents.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning and care here; play at Daydream includes sensory exploration, creative activities and opportunities to develop communication and physical skills. Planning responds to children's interests as they emerge. For parents, that means the child's own curiosity helps shape the activities, rather than a programme name being the whole explanation of the day.

In November 2022, babies experimented with tins and other loose objects, including putting items inside a tin to make a shaker. Simple resources gave them different possibilities to explore. During the same visit, children mixed ingredients in a science activity and anticipated what would happen next, giving a concrete example of curiosity turning into prediction and investigation.

Stories and conversation also featured in November 2022. Toddlers returned to favourite books and joined in familiar parts, while staff used descriptive vocabulary in a guessing game with older children. These examples show how listening, speaking and imaginative thinking were brought into play.

Creative and sensory activities remain part of the current offer, alongside Boogie Mites sessions. Activities are planned around children's interests and stages of development, making the choice of experience relevant to the child taking part.

Outdoor and Community Life

Forest School adds outdoor learning led by a dedicated leader in purpose-built facilities. It sits alongside the garden's everyday role: the mud kitchen provides a space for exploratory play, and the open area accommodates active movement. These are practical features for families who want outdoor experiences to be part of their child's routine.

Walks and outings give children opportunities to explore the surrounding area and learn about their community. The nursery sits on the outskirts of Horsell, in a residential setting surrounded by green spaces. Outdoor life therefore includes both the nursery garden and opportunities beyond it.

Relationships and Communication

The Grandir UK app shares information about activities, meals and development milestones, giving parents a way to follow their child's day. Stay-and-play sessions offer shared time in the nursery, while a lending library and family events provide further ways for families to take part. Communication extends beyond a brief daily update.

In November 2022, staff got to know children quickly when they started, and children showed confidence with unfamiliar visitors. Parents valued the small details staff passed on about their children. However, advice about supporting learning at home was not shared consistently, so everyday communication and practical learning guidance were separate strengths and weaknesses at that time.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

A SENCo role provides a point of support for children with additional needs, and the team works with families around individual requirements. At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, but identified inconsistent use of children's home languages and insufficient sharing of ideas for learning at home. Families using another language at home have a specific reason to explore how their child's language will be included.

Fresh meals are prepared by an on-site chef, and mealtimes are social occasions intended to support independence and routines. This makes food part of the care day as well as a practical arrangement for parents.

Daydream's address is Hillersdon, Horsell Rise, Woking, GU21 4AY. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening apart from bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Those closures matter when arranging care around work and holidays.

The nursery has a message form for enquiries and a booking route for personal tours. Families can use the form to provide their child's details and preferred start date.

Local bus routes and Woking train station are mentioned as nearby transport connections. For commuting families, the location is a useful starting point when considering how nursery fits into the working day.

• Home languages. In November 2022, children's home languages were used inconsistently. On a visit, discuss how staff would include the words and language your child uses with family.
• Learning at home. Sharing practical learning ideas with parents was an improvement point in November 2022. Ask for an example of the guidance families now receive alongside app updates.
• Funding and the total bill. How would funded hours, meals and care products fit your intended attendance pattern? Make this part of the joining conversation before committing to a schedule.

Daydream suits families who value daily garden play, organised outdoor learning and activities that respond to children's interests. The mud kitchen and Forest School facilities give that offer substance, while app updates and stay-and-play sessions create practical links with home. The Good judgement dates from November 2022; its home-language and parent-guidance improvement points deserve attention when deciding whether the nursery fits your child.