Kiddiwinks Day Nursery, Blackburn

Landmark-inspired construction, minibus outings and visiting teachers give Kiddiwinks' February 2022 account a recognisable character. At its 28 February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and asked staff to assess more precisely whether planned activities achieved their intended learning.

Kiddiwinks Day Nursery, Blackburn accepts children aged 3 to 60 months at its Roman Road address. Its opening hours run from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with Easter and Christmas closures.

In February 2022, language development shaped much of the learning: younger children used pictures and flash cards, while older children explored words beginning with a particular sound. Staff extended play through conversation and questions. There was a limitation, though: some children did not use newly introduced vocabulary enough to recall it readily.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. In the February 2022 account, this took practical form through stories, songs, construction and opportunities to choose activities. Photographs of landmarks prompted building ideas, giving children a starting point for imaginative play rather than simply a model to copy.

Physical experiences reached beyond indoor activities. In February 2022, children used a climbing frame, travelled by nursery minibus to the woods and attended swimming lessons. Visiting teachers came weekly, with drama and yoga among the activities offered. These experiences brought movement and unfamiliar environments into the nursery day.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, recognised staff's work with outside agencies to help children with special educational needs and/or disabilities access learning, and described close relationships between children and practitioners.

In February 2022, key people observed children's learning, identified next steps and discussed progress with the manager. Staff planned activities when they spotted developmental gaps. The important distinction was between planning help and checking its effect: the latter needed greater precision.

Online learning journals connected home and nursery in February 2022. Parents could contribute photographs, which staff used to prompt conversations about children's experiences. Daily conversations about feelings also gave children opportunities to express themselves and practise linking emotions with events.

The address is 1 Beechwood Cottages, Roman Road, Blackburn, BB1 2LB. The nursery opens throughout the year, apart from Easter and Christmas, with weekday hours of 7am to 6pm.

In February 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Checking learning. February 2022 planning identified children's next steps, but assessment of activities' impact needed greater precision. Families should weigh both parts of that picture.
• Using new vocabulary. In February 2022, some children needed more opportunities to reuse new words. Practice during ordinary play matters alongside introducing vocabulary.
• Settling into relationships. Key-person relationships were a strength in February 2022. How are settling-in visits organised around a child's key person now?

Kiddiwinks suits families seeking weekday care within a 7am-to-6pm opening window. Its February 2022 account combines personal relationships, language work and physical experiences beyond the nursery, balanced by a clear need to check learning more carefully. The dated judgement supports that measured assessment.