Kids Planet Astley Bridge

A traditional cottage, a garden with a giant tractor tyre and a Swap Shop for preloved books give Kids Planet Astley Bridge a recognisable character. Physical play and shared reading are tangible parts of its offer: children can tackle garden obstacles, while families can take a book home or leave another for someone else. These are useful everyday features, rather than simply decorative extras.

At its 10 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, found safeguarding effective and praised the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The judgement also came with clear development priorities: more precise evaluation of practice, stronger early mathematics and better guidance for learning at home.

Based on Garnett Street in Bolton, the nursery has 52 places in total and accepts children aged 2 to 60 months. That is whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of an individual room or the number attending together. Full-day, morning and afternoon bookings give families different ways to organise attendance.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In practice, this connects play and everyday routines with learning to communicate, move, manage feelings and develop early skills.

In October 2023, the curriculum placed particular emphasis on personal development, movement and communication. Babies encountered simple vocabulary on walks; toddlers practised coordination by pouring water; preschool children explored emotions in activities led by adults. These examples show how learning could sit within ordinary experiences, rather than depending on formal lessons.

Language work was practical, too. During play, staff named animals and drew attention to initial sounds, while questions during stories encouraged children to contribute. The important qualification concerns mathematics: planning for this area was less effective, so children's early mathematical understanding was less secure. Strong language experiences did not remove the need for more deliberate work on number and other mathematical ideas.

Outdoor and Community Life

The cottage's garden gives children several different physical challenges. A climbing wall and stepping bridge invite climbing and balance; the wooden tunnel provides a route for crawling, and the giant tractor tyre adds another substantial play feature. For a child who enjoys movement, this is a concrete reason to consider the setting. The equipment offers different ways to test coordination rather than relying on open space alone.

Preloved Book Swap centres on the Swap Shop, where families can collect a used book or contribute one. It makes sharing books part of nursery life and gives parents a simple way to refresh reading at home. The exchange also puts reuse into practice through an activity children can understand.

In October 2023, children also experienced outdoor play each day and planned sports activities. Sensory play included barefoot water exploration and painting. Those examples describe the day at that time; the current offer includes sports activities within private fees.

Relationships and Communication

In October 2023, staff got to know children's personalities and needs as families settled into nursery. Babies reached towards adults for comfort, and older children approached staff when they needed reassurance. The detail matters: settling involved responsive relationships, alongside participation in activities.

Behaviour support was similarly concrete. During shared story time, toddlers received reminders about gentle behaviour towards one another. Staff also encouraged children to make choices and attempt manageable challenges. These were opportunities to practise independence while receiving adult guidance.

Famly, the group-wide parent app, provides updates about children's nursery experiences and is included in fees here. It gives families a way to keep track of the day. In October 2023, parents received information about care and activities, but guidance on extending learning at home needed improvement; daily updates and help with learning are different functions.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In October 2023, the special educational needs coordinator used observations and assessments to identify developmental gaps, then planned individual targets with external professionals where appropriate. Children received daily individual help. This provides a specific account of how support was organised, rather than a general promise about inclusion.

Health work at that time extended beyond movement: staff helped families locate a dentist and supplied toothbrushes. The current food offer includes freshly prepared snacks and meals, with dietary requirements catered for. Families managing dietary needs should establish the arrangements for their child before attendance.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 24-26 Garnett Street, Bolton, BL1 6NS. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across 52 weeks of the year. A year-round offer matters for families arranging care beyond school terms.

Full Day and Full Time bookings run from 7.30am to 6pm. Afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 6pm, and Morning sessions finish at 1pm. The different morning start times need resolving before a family builds work or travel arrangements around that session. An ad hoc hourly booking option also forms part of the charge structure.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01204 303 764 or by email to astleybridge@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk. Tour booking and applications are also offered. The nursery's session choice is useful for parents who need either a complete working day or a shorter morning or afternoon arrangement.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare and privately paid attendance are offered. Private fees include meals and snacks, together with formula milk, wipes, nappies and sun cream. Sports activities and the parent app are also included, reducing the number of separate everyday items families need to organise.

On days when early years funding is applied, meals, consumables and activities carry separate charges. The charge structure distinguishes shorter and longer attendance on those days, so a funded booking needs to be assessed as a complete arrangement, including its extras. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Morning start time. Two Astley Bridge rate cards give different starts for Morning sessions: 7.30am and 8am, both ending at 1pm. Resolve this in the written booking agreement before relying on the earlier start.
• Early mathematics and learning at home. In October 2023, mathematics planning, evaluation of practice and guidance for parents all needed strengthening. During a tour, ask for examples of current number activities and how staff help families extend learning at home.
• Funded-day extras. Meals, consumables and activities are charged separately on days with funding applied. A quotation should distinguish those items from private hours so families can understand the complete booking cost.
• Dietary arrangements. Meals and snacks cater for dietary requirements. Families managing allergies should confirm the current preparation and serving arrangements for their child's needs.

Kids Planet Astley Bridge suits families seeking either full-day attendance or shorter morning and afternoon sessions, with physical play and shared reading among its clearest attractions. The cottage, garden obstacles and book exchange give the setting character, while included everyday supplies simplify privately paid care.

Its Good judgement from October 2023 provides a positive inspection position, balanced by specific priorities around mathematics, evaluation and learning at home. For families using funding, the separate charges deserve equal attention to the session choice. The nursery's appeal rests on these concrete features and practical arrangements.