Seesaws Day Nursery, Penn

Sensory play for babies and shared storytelling for older children give Seesaws Day Nursery, Penn a concrete educational character. In June 2023, babies explored dough and cereal while staff supplied words for what they were doing; older children invented a story which a practitioner illustrated as it developed. These are useful examples of learning built into play, rather than activities whose purpose ends with keeping children occupied.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 53 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months. Its address is 1 Riley Crescent, Wolverhampton, WV3 7DR.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play supports language, physical development and growing independence. It is the shared framework for early years provision, rather than an extra programme unique to Penn.

In June 2023, learning followed a planned sequence, with information from parents helping staff establish what children could already do and what should come next. That connection matters: an activity has more purpose when it builds on a child's existing understanding. The starting point was the child, rather than simply the activity on offer.

Babies' language experiences at that time included stories, songs with actions and questions followed by time to respond. Dough and cereal introduced different textures alongside vocabulary. Older children's imaginative storytelling took another form, with their spoken ideas turned into drawings by a practitioner. Both examples connected something children could experience directly with opportunities to communicate.

Outdoor and Community Life

In June 2023, the garden supported imaginative play as older children joined a practitioner in acting out a familiar story. Swings, slides and wheeled toys also gave children opportunities to practise movement and coordination, alongside space for running. The physical equipment served a clear purpose beyond recreation: children could try different movements and develop control through play.

Choice was part of the day too. At that time, children could reach resources that interested them, and the arrangement of their surroundings changed as their needs developed. This matters for independence because choosing and accessing a toy can be a learning opportunity in itself.

In June 2023, room changes involved discussions between parents, staff and the child's next key person. Updated information accompanied the move, giving the receiving practitioner a starting point for understanding the child. For families, the important detail is the handover of knowledge as well as the change of room.

Everyday independence also featured in June 2023: babies and toddlers fed themselves, while older children practised dressing, personal care and clearing away after lunch. Health activities included toothbrushing and conversations about food and the effects of exercise. These examples made self-care something children practised, rather than simply something adults explained.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified a need to extend communication methods for children requiring additional support, especially those not yet using speech, so they could express their needs to adults and other children. This is the material qualification to the otherwise positive inspection position. Families whose children need communication support should give it weight when assessing the nursery.

Sessions and Attendance

Penn opens from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It operates across the year, with a one-week Christmas closure including Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The opening window gives families a clear boundary for planning work and collections; the Christmas break also needs to fit their annual childcare arrangements.

The Penn contact details are 01902 341676 and penn@seesawsdaynurseries.com. The nursery is at 1 Riley Crescent, in Wolverhampton, with postcode WV3 7DR.

Funding and Paid Extras

In June 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That is a dated participation fact, rather than a promise of eligibility or a funded place for an individual family. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Communication support. The June 2023 improvement priority concerned children who needed more ways to communicate. At a visit, ask how staff help a child who is not yet speaking express a choice or request help.
• Your booking and quotation. Penn's opening hours run from 7am to 6pm. Ask which attendance pattern fits your needs and how funded hours, meals and consumables are treated in the written quotation.
• Christmas cover. A one-week Christmas closure includes Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Families working over that period need childcare arrangements that account for the break.

Penn merits consideration for families seeking care across the year within its weekday opening hours. Its June 2023 examples of sensory exploration, imaginative storytelling and practical independence give substance to the Good judgement. Communication support is the point that deserves closer attention, especially for a child who needs alternatives to speech.