Playdays Nursery

Inspection of Playdays Nursery 58 Queens Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8LR

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy and confident in this nurturing nursery. Staff know children well and quickly establish secure bonds, even when children are new. Leaders focus on supporting children's emotional security. They use photos of families, mirrors and images of children around the environment to help children to develop a sense of belonging and identity. Staff play songs in children's home languages throughout the day to help them to feel pride in their family backgrounds and learn what makes them unique.

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The provision is good

Leaders structure the curriculum to develop children's sensory exploration. Babies explore citrus fruits in water. Staff describe the tastes and textures to help babies understand what they are experiencing. Toddlers explore sand and make marks with their fingers. Pre-school children manipulate play dough, and explore the textures of different items, such as cereal and spaghetti. This helps children to become familiar with a wide range of textures, which leaders recognise as important for encouraging children to try new foods.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They model positive interactions and encourage sharing and turn taking. Staff help children to manage their emotions appropriately, such as by using calm spaces and sensory toys. Staff support children to express their feelings with words. This helps children to learn how to navigate social situations respectfully.

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need to do better?

n Overall, children benefit from activities that help them move and gain control over their bodies. They climb and balance on blocks, ride bicycles and join in with movement games. These activities help children to grow stronger and more coordinated while enjoying active play. However, staff do not consistently support children's physical development. For example, cluttered floors in the baby room make practising walking difficult for babies, and some pre-school activities are too difficult, such as using scissors. This affects children's confidence. n Staff support children's communication and language well. Babies learn to take turns, such as through responsive games of peekaboo. Staff use songs to reinforce new words and concepts. At mealtimes, staff encourage children to share their ideas and past experiences. However, some story times are interrupted by routines, such as nappy changing. These interruptions reduce

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need to do better?

children's opportunities to listen and hear the language being used. n Staff use care routines to help children to form secure relationships. During nappy changes, mealtimes and getting dressed, they talk gently, explain what they are doing and respond to children's cues. Staff give cuddles and

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need to do better?

24 September 2025 reassurance when children are upset, helping them to feel safe and valued. These predictable routines allow children to feel secure and become more willing to explore and interact with others. n Staff support smooth transitions for all children. New children have home visits so staff can learn about their routines, interests and family backgrounds. This helps children to settle quickly. When children move between rooms, key persons provide handovers and meet with parents and carers to share information, to ensure continuity of care and learning. For children moving to school, staff prepare booklets and photos to familiarise children with the new environment. These carefully planned transitions help children to feel ready for the next stage of their learning. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities by using strategies that meet their individual needs. They provide visual cues, adjust

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need to do better?

seating and offer extra guidance during activities. Staff work closely with specialists and other professionals to ensure that children receive the right support. This helps children to join in fully and make good progress. n Children benefit from healthy eating routines that encourage them to try new foods and build confidence at mealtimes. Staff work with parents during the weaning stage and manage children's allergies carefully. They adapt meals to keep children safe. n Leaders involve parents through coffee mornings and regular meetings to discuss their children's development. Staff share what children are learning at nursery and give parents strategies for extending this at home. Parents' suggestions are welcomed and acted on. This builds strong partnerships and ensures children that feel supported at home and in the nursery. n Leaders support staff's well-being by creating a positive culture. They provide

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need to do better?

regular feedback, training opportunities and guidance to help staff to develop their skills. Staff feel valued, can raise concerns openly and appreciate the collaborative environment that encourages teamwork.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen the curriculum for physical development to ensure that activities and the environment are structured to help children to practise new skills n consider the timing of care routines to ensure that they do not interrupt children when they are engaged in and enjoying story time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 138232 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10412489 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 43

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Name of registered person

Playdays Day Nursery & Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 946 8139 Date of previous inspection 24 February 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Playdays Nursery registered in 2000 and is one of five nurseries owned by Playdays Day Nursery & Nursery School Limited. It is based in Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The setting employs 14 members of staff, nine of whom hold a relevant childcare qualifications between level 2 and level 6. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n Leaders and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children interacted with the inspector throughout the inspection. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observations of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with leaders about the leadership and management of the nursery. n Leaders provided the inspectors with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

24 September 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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