Dradishaw House Day Nursery

Small steps towards independence give Dradishaw House Day Nursery its clearest character: babies handling fruit, toddlers practising with tweezers and preschool children clearing their lunch things. These April 2025 examples show how everyday routines can become learning opportunities.

At its April 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The improvements requested were specific: mathematics for toddlers and preschool children, and toddlers’ outdoor sensory and creative experiences.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together, with play and everyday routines helping children practise new skills. In April 2025, activities included babies exploring cereal, dry sand and water, while toddlers practised pouring between containers. These experiences gave children opportunities to investigate textures and control their movements.

Physical play happened inside and outside. In April 2025, babies used an indoor slide and rocking toys; toddlers tackled outdoor steps and a slide with nearby adult support. Preschool children used water and brushes to make marks on a wall.

Mathematics needed more careful planning. In April 2025, opportunities to introduce mathematical ideas during toddler water play were missed, and some preschool children left a large group activity that did not sufficiently accommodate their different developmental stages. Outdoor play also gave toddlers fewer chances to explore textures and experiment with mark-making.

In April 2025, staff used emotion cards with preschool children and discussed safe indoor behaviour. Signs, symbols and objects helped make spoken instructions easier to understand. That gave children more than spoken language alone to help them communicate and follow routines.

Support for SEND involved parents, outside professionals and funding for services and resources in April 2025. Assessment also informed what children would learn next, connecting activities with their interests and existing knowledge.

Independence developed gradually. In April 2025, babies practised drinking from lidded cups, toddlers transferred fruit with tweezers, and preschool children managed plates and cutlery. These routines linked preparation for a move within the nursery with habits useful at school.

The address is 15 Dradishaw Road, Silsden, Keighley, BD20 0BH. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

Government-funded childcare was offered in April 2025.

• Mathematics across ages. April 2025 findings highlighted missed opportunities in toddler play and preschool group activities. Ask how mathematical learning now accommodates different ages and stages.
• Toddlers’ outdoor experiences. April 2025 findings identified fewer opportunities for sensory exploration and creative mark-making outdoors. A visit can establish how those experiences have developed.
• Attendance and costs. The opening window runs from 7am to 6pm. Which booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your week, and what would the nursery’s current written quotation include?

Dradishaw House suits families who value practical independence, communication aids and learning through everyday activity. Its April 2025 inspection gives a positive quality judgement alongside clear priorities for mathematics and toddler outdoor play. For parents organising care around working hours, the weekday opening window is a useful practical consideration.