URN 2818068 · Inspected 2026-09-08 · Published 2026-10-06 · Inspector: Louise Jarvis
Eastfield Day Nursery Unique reference number (URN): 2818068 Address: 105 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 4JU Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 22/11/2024 Registers: EYR Registered person: Kinsella, Amy Inspection report: 8 September 2026 Exceptional Strong standard Expected standard Needs attention Urgent improvement Safeguarding standards met The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe. How we evaluate safeguarding When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes: Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met. Strong standard Expected standard Inclusion Strong standard Leaders and staff are passionate about inclusion. Staff support all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), those who face other barriers to their learning and children known or previously known to social services, consistently well. Staff complete rigorous assessments to identify any support children may need and monitor progress. Leaders and staff act swiftly on any concerns about children's learning and development. They communicate immediately with parents and work with other professionals to put support in place. Leaders and staff share next steps and strategies with parents to support consistency and enhance experiences. For example, they share strategies to support speech and language, which has a positive impact on children's learning and development. As a result, children with SEND and those who face other barriers to their learning make progress from their starting points. Staff are well trained and have regular training opportunities. They share this training with other members of staff in the nursery. This allows staff working with children to know their next steps and support them effectively. Leaders and staff work closely with other agencies, such as speech and language professionals and the local children's centre. This means children receive effective support and that adaptations are made. Leaders make effective use of additional funding. They regularly assess the children's individual needs and use funding effectively, for example for extra staff training or sensory resources to help support self-regulation. This ensures children receive the support they need to help them thrive in the nursery. Achievement Expected standard All children make progress from their starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face other barriers to learning. Children develop essential skills and develop knowledge across the 7 areas of learning. This suitably prepares them for their next steps in learning. Children confidently explore the environment, both indoors and outdoors. They show a 'can- do' attitude and increasing high levels of concentration during the activities provided. For example, children spend time filling and emptying with natural resources and find different ways to get them out of tubs. Children gain a secure foundation in their personal, social and emotional development and physical skills. They confidently use their physical skills, both indoors and outdoors. For example, children enjoy using their muscles to join in with dancing and exploring the play dough. Babies have opportunities to pull themselves up and develop their walking skills. Children confidently invite each other into their play and give support when needed. For example, older children explain to younger children how to make eyes for their gingerbread man. Children make progress in their communication and language. They use their communication skills to talk about the activities they are completing. For example, babies acquire words through books and songs. Older children use communication when exploring the puppets, discussing characters and different occupations. Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard Staff are effective role models for children and teach them the importance of kindness, care and respect. Leaders and staff encourage positive behaviours, such as sharing and taking turns. For example, staff encourage children to share the paints when colour mixing and wait their turn to find the gingerbread man in the flour. As a result, children generally display positive behaviour. Daily routines are typically embedded. For example, there is an embedded tidy-up routine in all rooms. This means that as children transition into new rooms, they are aware of the expectations. Children pour their own water and self-serve, and staff encourage babies to feed themselves. Children develop independence skills as they move through the nursery. However, at times, some routines are not organised as effectively to support children to remain engaged in learning. For example, at mealtimes, children spend time waiting and start to become distracted. Children access the activities and resources with confidence. They develop positive attitudes to their learning and engage well with the activities provided and with each other. For example, children talk together about how they can open a truck door and talk about the natural resources being 'spiky'. Children build warm, caring relationships with their key person and other members of staff. They seek out their key person for comfort and enjoy sharing play with staff. Staff are considerate of children's individual needs and stage and age of development. For example, they follow babies' routines from home and use visual representations to support routines. As a result, children settle quickly and feel safe and secure in the nursery. Leaders promote attendance with parents. They have systems in place to check attendance and are proactive to ensure children attend nursery. Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard Leaders typically prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing. Children settle quickly into nursery and develop secure attachments with their key person. Leaders and staff create a welcoming and safe environment, and children access a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors. Staff gather information about children before they start, such as likes, routines and any allergies. This means children settle quickly into nursery. Daily handovers with parents are well embedded. Staff regularly share information with parents and meet the needs of children. Leaders and staff embed effective transitions from room to room for children. Children visit their new room and spend time with staff. As a result, children transition through the nursery with confidence. Staff embed safer sleep routines and supervise children during mealtimes. Children have regular access to the outdoors, and staff recognise when children need time to rest. There is an emphasis on healthy eating. Children grow their own vegetables and become excited to see fresh berries in their drinking water at lunchtime. This means that children develop an understanding of healthy choices and diet. Children learn about oral health and how to take care of their teeth. Older children follow the teeth-brushing routine in the nursery, and children take home 'going to the dentist' bags. Children independently wash their hands after indoor and outdoor activities. This demonstrates that hygiene practices are embedded. Curriculum and teaching Expected standard Leaders have an accurate understanding of the curriculum that reflects children's ages and stages of development. Staff provide different experiences and ensure every child can access the curriculum. Children develop the knowledge and skills they need as they move through the nursery. As a result, it prepares them for their next stage in their learning. The curriculum is typically taught well. Staff plan from assessments and children's interests. For example, children excitedly bring in autumn leaves and conkers. Staff use this interest to provide activities to promote their curiosity and learning further. Leaders and staff put an emphasis on mathematical learning. Staff use mathematical language during activities and routines. For example, children count how many cups they need for lunch, and activities link to number, size and shape. This allows children to develop mathematical concepts that are age and stage appropriate. Typically, staff support and model communication and language for children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face other barriers to their learning. Staff promote the children's love of books. Children enjoy a book of the month, where activities are provided and staff share key words with parents. This helps children to extend their vocabulary. For example, babies have a teddy bears' picnic, and older children make gingerbread men out of sensory play dough. However, there are some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching throughout the nursery. At times, some staff are not as confident to use high-quality interactions to support and extend children's learning during free play. Leaders and staff focus on babies' and children's personal, social and emotional development and physical skills. Babies enjoy songs, where they repeat words and use their muscles to join in with different actions. Older children engage in imaginative play together. They make food in the home corner and use their physical skills to balance on planks. Leadership and governance Expected standard Leaders understand the setting's context and are enthusiastic about the care and education they provide for children. Leaders actively identify areas for improvement and constantly reflect on these with staff. For example, they discuss the different activities and room layouts, adapting these when needed. As a result, children engage more effectively within the environment. Leaders have an effective induction and recruitment procedure, including mandatory training. This ensures that staff working with children are suitable. Leaders undertake regular meetings with staff, identifying any learning needs. For example, they have attended mathematical training, which has seen an impact on children's learning. Leaders ensure staff feel valued and supported to carry out their role successfully. Leaders and staff undertake regular peer observations to reflect on their practice and highlight improvements. Partnerships with parents are well established, with families attending the setting for many years. Parents value the collaborative approach to support their children and speak highly of leaders and staff. Leaders and staff encourage daily conversations with parents and work with other professionals. They provide regular updates on children's learning and development. As a result, parents feel well informed about their children's learning and next steps and how to support them at home. What it's like to be a child at this setting There is a sense of belonging in this family-focused nursery. Children are treated with respect and care. They confidently leave parents into the care of their key person. They enjoy cuddles with their key person and seek them out for reassurance when needed. Children are secure and happy and enjoy a warm, nurturing environment. They confidently access the different activities and resources and are excited to share what they have found on the way to nursery. Children benefit from staff knowing them well. They access a curriculum that is typically taught well and make progress from their starting points. Children engage well both indoors and outdoors and are curious learners. For example, they eagerly wait to see what is in the bucket at group time. They learn through play, show perseverance and 'have a go' as they explore. Children learn new words and numbers through books and activities. For example, children explore penguins, using their fingers to count how many they can find. They grow their own vegetables and have these for their lunch. Children are inquisitive. They use their physical skills as they attempt to open conker shells and use words such as 'spiky' to describe what they feel. They have regular access to the outdoor area and have an area where they can discuss and regulate their emotions. Children enjoy joining in with singing and group times. They are enthusiastic when singing familiar songs and show confidence when inviting others into their play. As a result, children develop their social and communication skills. Next steps Leaders should focus on supporting and developing staff's interactions with children to promote consistent high-quality teaching. Inspector: Louise Jarvis About this setting Unique reference number (URN): 2818068 Address: 105 Aigburth Road Liverpool L17 4JU Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registration date: 22/11/2024 Registered person: Kinsella, Amy Register(s): EYR Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 17:45 Local authority: Liverpool Facts and figures used on inspection This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection. Leaders should develop transition times to ensure that these are being used effectively to allow children to have consistently positive attitudes to their learning. About this inspection The inspector spoke with leaders, practitioners, the special educational needs coordinator, children and parents during the inspection. 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. This data is from 8 September 2026 Children numbers Age range of children at the time of inspection 1 to 4 Total number of places 45 Our grades explained Exceptional Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it. Strong standard The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them. Expected standard The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them. Needs attention The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements. Urgent improvement The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) inspects services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk. This publication is available at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Interested in our work? 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