Phoenix Childcare

Children choosing the story, solving construction problems and clearing their lunch plates give Phoenix Childcare a recognisable character: independence built through ordinary play. At its 12 December 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, finding that children progressed exceptionally well through a carefully sequenced curriculum.

Based at Gaudet Luce Golf Club in Hadzor, Droitwich, the nursery accepts children from birth to five and has 90 places in total. The inspection examples below describe December 2022 practice, rather than a current account of daily activities.

The early years foundation stage covers children's learning, development and care, giving play and everyday routines an educational purpose. In December 2022, activities linked learning across its seven areas, with experiences becoming more demanding as children developed their skills.

Babies brushed model teeth, toddlers worked out which construction bricks fitted together, and preschool children used scissors to cut tape for wrapping parcels. These were practical problems with a purpose, giving children reasons to concentrate and try again. Staff planned activities around what children could already do, then provided opportunities to revisit their learning.

Language also ran through play in December 2022. Songs, rhymes and familiar stories supported younger children's vocabulary; older children used puppets and the role-play area to recreate the Nativity story. Preschool children voted between two books for story time, giving them a concrete say in the day's activities.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with additional needs exceptionally strong, with professional advice incorporated into everyday care. This is a dated assessment of practice.

During December 2022, key people helped children separate from parents, while circle-time conversations gave children space to talk about mixed feelings. Children could name their feelings and explain them further if they wished.

Daily conversations and an online platform kept parents informed about development at that time. Toddlers took their lunch items to the kitchen and emptied leftovers into a compost container, connecting independence with useful everyday tasks.

Staff recruitment included induction, while supervision and training supported continuing development in December 2022. Safeguarding training included questioning staff about their understanding, and regular environmental checks helped identify risks.

The address is Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Middle Lane, Hadzor, Droitwich, WR9 7JR. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In December 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That statement relates to the inspection period.

• Dated assessment. The Outstanding judgement dates from December 2022. On a visit, explore how today's activities build skills progressively, using the construction and parcel-wrapping examples as useful reference points.
• An age-spanning setting. Children are accepted from birth to five. Ask how settling and the daily routine would work for your child's stage, alongside the attendance and charge arrangements you need.

Phoenix Childcare suits parents who value children's independence and learning through practical tasks. Its December 2022 assessment gives strong support for that educational approach and for care, including additional-needs support. The combination of a birth-to-five age range and weekday opening hours also makes it relevant to families considering care across successive early-years stages.