Clifton Day Nursery

Babies practising conversation, children singing about journeys and books shared in different languages give Clifton Day Nursery its character. At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. The strongest detail is everyday learning woven into play, conversation and mealtimes.

At 5 Sutton Way in York, the nursery accepts children from three months to five years and has 30 places in total. That whole-setting capacity should not be read as the number of children sharing a room.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its inspection-era examples include language through songs and stories, mathematics through play, and movement indoors and outside.

In January 2025, babies exchanged sounds with staff, while older children explored vocabulary through books and songs about vehicles. Counting and discussions about shapes brought early mathematics into everyday activities. Dual-language books and celebrations planned with parents brought children's home languages and cultures into nursery life.

Physical play had concrete variety. In January 2025, babies rolled on soft mats and pulled themselves upright using toys they could push; older children worked dough with cutters and practised pedalling and balancing outside. Outings included the library and the surrounding community, extending experiences beyond the nursery.

At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff working with families and other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with most children making good progress.

In January 2025, staff gathered information from parents when children started and used children's interests and assessments to shape activities. Families could discuss development face to face or by telephone, with an app, newsletters and daily conversations providing further communication. Advice included help with potty training.

Home-cooked food featured in January 2025, alongside dining-area posters used for conversations about fruit and vegetables. Children practised using cutlery, and older children poured drinks and selected snacks with tongs, making eating an opportunity to practise independence.

There were important limits. In January 2025, support for managing emotions did not work consistently for every child, leaving some struggling to participate in shared play. Some staff development needs also went unidentified, reducing opportunities to strengthen practice.

The address is 5 Sutton Way, York, YO30 6JF. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with bank holiday closures.

In January 2025, the nursery provided government-funded childcare. This is a dated participation fact rather than a promise of a funded place.

• Help with emotions. In January 2025, some children needed more effective support to manage feelings and join others in play. Ask how staff now adapt that support to an individual child.
• Staff development. Some training needs were missed in January 2025. Ask how development priorities are identified and followed through.
• Your attendance and costs. With an all-year opening pattern, ask which booking arrangements and funded-hours terms would fit your family, and request a current written quotation covering food and consumables.

Clifton suits families seeking an all-year nursery with everyday conversation, books and practical independence prominent in its January 2025 account. Its Good judgement gives a clear inspection position; the two improvement priorities make emotional support and staff development useful subjects for a visit.