Cherry Tree Children's Day Nursery

Birds’ nests, storybook conversations and babies experimenting with instruments illustrated learning across Cherry Tree Children’s Day Nursery at its April 2024 inspection. At its April 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective, while identifying teaching consistency and participation by quieter children as areas to strengthen.

The Menston setting has capacity for 55 children, accepting ages from three months to five years. Its inspection offers a useful picture of learning across the age groups, with language, physical development and managing emotions running through the day.

In April 2024, babies explored songs through instruments and objects they could handle, while staff added words to their early attempts at speech. Toddlers discussed familiar stories in comfortable reading spaces. These were practical opportunities to practise communication, rather than listening alone.

Preschool children’s interest in birds led to gathering twigs and leaves outside, then making their own nests with creative materials indoors. The activity connected an outdoor discovery with collaboration and making things. Physical experiences included babies practising on their tummies, older children handling scissors and cutlery, and climbing outdoor slide steps.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the April 2024 examples show how conversation, creative play and physical activity could bring those requirements into everyday experiences.

Managing feelings was an explicit part of care in April 2024. Staff also said goodbye before briefly leaving babies, helping them understand that an adult’s departure was temporary.

At the April 2024 inspection, Ofsted found children well prepared for school, but called for more consistent oversight of teaching and better interaction with quieter children during group activities. That distinction matters: enjoying a shared activity does not necessarily mean every child receives enough individual attention.

Preschool children served their own lunch in a dining area in April 2024, giving them practice in everyday independence. Meals were cooked at home-style preparation level, with healthy snacks also offered.

The address is 86 Main Street, Menston, Ilkley, LS29 6HS. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with bank holiday closures.

In April 2024, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a particular funded attendance arrangement.

• Quieter children. The April 2024 improvement point concerned participation in group activities. On a visit, ask how staff draw less-confident children into conversations and play.
• Teaching consistency. Monitoring practice also needed strengthening in April 2024. Ask how leaders now check the quality of interactions across the nursery.
• Your attendance pattern. The weekday opening window extends from early morning into the evening. Which booking pattern would fit your family’s routine?

Cherry Tree merits consideration for families seeking care from infancy through the preschool years and a weekday opening window extending to 6.30pm. Its April 2024 examples give substance to the Good judgement: conversation, creative exploration and everyday independence all feature. The questions about quieter children and consistent teaching deserve equal weight when choosing.