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Astwood Smiles Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2022)
·
5.0(24 parent reviews) ·18 Feckenham Road, Astwood Bank, REDDITCH, B96 6DS · Worcestershire
Number of places
80 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2022
Local authority
Worcestershire

About this day nursery

Astwood Smiles Nursery, situated in Redditch, offers a secure, welcoming, and stimulating environment designed to help children flourish. This family-operated nursery aims to provide a smooth transition for children between home and the nursery setting.

Emphasising early childhood education, the nursery focuses on cultivating a positive and nurturing atmosphere where highly qualified and experienced staff work to meet each child's individual needs. The nursery is committed to creating engaged learners and confident communicators, facilitating a seamless transition into formal education.

Astwood Smiles values continuous professional development for its staff, ensuring they are equipped with the most current knowledge and experience. The nursery places a strong emphasis on outdoor play and has extensive facilities designed by their qualified forest school leader.

They are also dedicated to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly practices throughout the facility and educating children on environmental responsibility. The focus is on a holistic approach to child development, providing healthy meals and a variety of high-quality toys and activities both indoors and outdoors.

Our ethos

Astwood Smiles Nursery is committed to creating engaged learners and confident communicators by providing a secure, welcoming, and stimulating environment. They emphasise early childhood education, a holistic approach to child development, and a strong focus on outdoor play, facilitated by a qualified forest school leader. The nursery also values sustainability and incorporates eco-friendly practices.

What it's like

Children are happy to attend and thrive in this caring and nurturing environment, building close bonds with friends and staff. Children's care needs are carefully considered and matched to routines at home, and they are supported effectively as they learn to manage their feelings and regulate their behaviour. They benefit from a well-planned programme of activities and experiences, adapted to suit individual needs and abilities, which helps them build on current knowledge and enrich their learning.

Family-Run NurseryOutdoor Play & Forest SchoolCommitment to Sustainability5-Star Food Hygiene Rating

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers childcare services for 51 weeks of the year. Standard sessions are available as full days from 7.30am to 6.00pm or 8.00am to 5.30pm. Government funding is stretched over the 51-week period rather than being restricted to term-time only.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Nursery is open 51 weeks of the year.
  • Government funding is stretched across the 51 open weeks.
  • Stretched 30-hour funding equates to 22 hours per week over 51 weeks (when taken over 3 days).
  • Standard session times are 7.30am to 6.00pm or 8.00am to 5.30pm.

Key facts

Opening hours

Mon - Fri, 7:30am - 6pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2014

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Astwood Smiles Nursery

Last inspected 5 January 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy to attend and thrive in this caring and nurturing environment, building close bonds with friends and staff. Children's care needs are carefully considered and matched to routines at home, and they are supported effectively as they learn to manage their feelings and regulate their behaviour. They benefit from a well-planned programme of activities and experiences, adapted to suit individual needs and abilities, which helps them build on current knowledge and enrich their learning.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders, managers and staff are dedicated and passionate about their roles and responsibilities and work well as a team.
  • Children develop good communication and language skills, with staff engaging them in meaningful conversations and encouraging new vocabulary.
  • Staff read to children in a way that excites and engages them using sounds, puppets, and props.
  • Older children enjoy a wealth of opportunities and experiences outside in all weathers, benefiting from fresh air and exercise.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported very well, with staff quickly assessing and identifying developmental concerns and working closely with parents and other professionals.

Areas to develop

  • 1help all children to develop their independence and confidence so that they benefit from persevering at tasks and actively share their own ideas to help extend their learning
  • 2enrich the learning and development opportunities offered in the outdoor environment, particularly for the babies and younger children.
Inspection #10218166 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are very pleased with the nursery and comment about how their children are very settled and happy to attend.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported very well. Leaders, managers and staff quickly assess and identify developmental concerns and have a good knowledge and understanding of the children and their needs. They work closely with parents and other professionals to help individual children catch up with their peers.

Outdoor space

Older children enjoy a wealth of opportunities and experiences outside in all weathers, benefiting from the fresh air and exercise. They enjoy riding tricycles, climbing steps, and going down the slide, as well as negotiating balancing beams, ladders, and tractor tyres. Staff select resources from inside for babies and younger children who are less mobile to enjoy under the canopy area, though the manager recognises scope to develop the outdoor environment for the youngest children.

Parent Reviews of Astwood Smiles Nursery

5.0
(24)
Jayne White
11 months ago

Our son has been attending Astwood Smiles for nearly two years now, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the moment we first visited, we had a great feeling about the place — and it’s turned out to be absolutely right. He has settled in quickly and really enjoys going, which says a lot about the environment the staff have created. Everyone there is friendly, caring, and supportive. They’ve made what is often a difficult decision — leaving your child in someone else’s care — so much easier and more reassuring. Highly recommended to any parents looking for a warm, professional, and trustworthy setting for their little ones.

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Amy Barratt
3 years ago

Astwood Smiles is absolutely amazing. My daughter has been attending Astwood Smiles since she was 7 months old. The staff are so nurturing, caring and have a clear passion for childcare. They provide a stimulating environment and offer so many new and exciting experiences for the children. It really feels like a home from home nursery and an extended family. My daughter has such good relationships with her key workers and staff in the nursery and I am always reassured with how much she loves her time there. The communication is fantastic; the online learning system, detailed handovers, newsletters and Facebook updates. Leaving your child is such a hard thing to do, but knowing they are in the best hands is so reassuring. Thankyou Astwood Smiles, the best nursery ever!

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Laura Andrews
3 years ago

Our daughter has attended this nursery for 6 months. We were initially apprehensive about nursery due to previous experiences with our eldest child. I have to say Astwood Smiles has completely restored our confidence. Staff are warm and friendly and have really spent time getting to know our daughter, despite her attending just one day a week! The team in the baby room work hard to encourage skills, habits and routines that she has learnt at home making transition between settings smooth and stress free! It is lovely watching our daughter's face light up when we pull in to the car park at morning drop off!

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Louise Mosley
2 years ago

I have 2 children at the nursery and couldn’t recommend it enough. They go above and beyond and are always friendly, kind and caring. Both of my children are extremely happy here and watching their confidence grow puts my mind at rest to know they are in good hands! Thank you to the team at Astwood Smiles Nursery!

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olivia waters
2 years ago

Astwood Smiles was the only choice for my children, and I would highly recommend them to all families. They even offer holiday clubs and after school clubs when your children leave nursery for school. Amazing, creative, and caring staff inside a beautiful nursery that is highly maintained, with great security and air conditioned. Full of happy children who have lots of fun every day.

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Reviews from Google for Astwood Smiles Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2016

  • January 2022Good
  • February 2016Good

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