Heathers Day Nursery

Patient conversations, animal games and growing independence give Heathers Day Nursery its character in the January 2023 account of daily life. This Holgate setting has 36 places in total for children aged 0 to 60 months.

At its 26 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. The strongest examples concerned everyday learning: children practised speaking in a group, made choices about food and learnt to manage small tasks themselves.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play providing opportunities to practise language, movement and social skills.

In January 2023, children could choose their own activities alongside experiences guided by adults. Babies experimented with paint on paper, while older children discussed animals selected from a bag, describing their sounds, food and habitats. Waiting for a turn gave that conversation a social purpose as well as a language one.

Staff repeated important words for babies and used stories and songs to expand vocabulary. Mathematics also entered ordinary play: garden chase games introduced ideas about position, while counting gave children practice with numbers.

Outdoor provision was stronger for older children. Those over two built a den and sang beneath it; the under-two garden needed more resources and better use to support exploration and learning.

In January 2023, settling arrangements helped staff learn about individual children. Patient discussion of unwanted behaviour encouraged children to understand the reasons behind boundaries rather than simply follow instructions.

Parents exchanged information about learning with staff and contributed observations from home. Children also practised independence by removing shoes, wiping noses and serving themselves at mealtimes, useful preparation for managing everyday tasks at school.

Senior staff checked children's dietary requirements against the day's meals in January 2023. Tooth-cleaning activities introduced oral care, but work with parents needed extending to include help finding a dentist.

James Backhouse Place, Holgate, York, YO24 4NS is the nursery's address. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays, Christmas and New Year.

In January 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of funding participation, rather than a promise of a funded place now.

• Baby outdoor play. The January 2023 findings called for a more engaging under-two outdoor area. On a visit, ask how that space now supports babies' exploration.
• Oral health partnership. In January 2023, tooth-cleaning activities had not been matched by support for parents to find a dentist. Ask how families are now involved.
• Attendance and charges. Opening hours cover the working day. Before committing, ask which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your week, and request a written quotation covering meals and consumables.

Heathers suits families seeking a Holgate nursery with evidence of patient guidance, play-based language learning and practical independence. Its weekday opening window may fit working parents. The January 2023 account gives concrete reasons to consider it, while the youngest children's outdoor experience deserves attention during a visit.