The Chatterbox Club

In September 2024, puppets, spider webs and play-dough roti gave The Chatterbox Club a recognisable character: everyday discoveries became opportunities to talk, compare and imagine. At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, highlighting attentive teaching and children's enjoyment of learning.

Based at Basnett Street Nursery School in Burnley, the setting has capacity for 80 children. Children attending in September 2024 were aged two to three; that describes the children present at that time, rather than a current admission age range.

In September 2024, daily circle time brought together songs and puppets to encourage conversation and shared attention. Mathematical ideas grew out of construction play, with staff introducing size vocabulary as children handled different bricks. These were concrete ways to connect language with something children could see and use.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2024 examples show learning through play: examining spiders and webs with magnifying glasses outdoors, or shaping roti from play dough and pretending to cook it in the home corner. Familiar experiences gave children material for imaginative play.

Staff also used children's home languages and introduced different religious traditions, including the significance of churches and mosques. Children's interests helped shape activities, with time to investigate rather than rush through a fixed task.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including individual plans developed with outside agencies and intensive interaction work that helped children progress.

Settling in during September 2024 involved parents, giving staff time to understand children's emotional needs. Staff encouraged sharing and turn-taking, connecting personal reassurance with learning to play alongside others.

Dental health had a practical place in the day. In September 2024, children explored toothbrushes and model teeth, while families could take dentist bags home and receive help signing up with a dental practice. The activity linked play with a useful family health task.

Management supported practitioners through coaching, supervision and further training in children's development during September 2024. Teaching discussions centred on what individual children needed to learn next, giving staff a clear purpose for their interactions.

The address is Basnett Street Nursery School, Basnett Street, Burnley, BB10 3ES.

In September 2024, opening hours were 8.45am to 3.40pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Those hours describe the operating window at that inspection, rather than a choice of bookable sessions. Funded early education for children aged two, three and four was also provided at that time.

• Term-time attendance. The September 2024 timetable followed term time and ended at 3.40pm. Families needing care through school holidays or later afternoons should weigh that timetable against their working day.
• Fit for your child. Children attending in September 2024 were aged two to three, and settling sessions involved parents. At a visit, ask how the current age arrangements, settling process and attendance options would work for your child.

The Chatterbox Club suits families drawn to conversation-led play, practical health learning and support shaped around individual children. Its September 2024 assessment provides a strong quality judgement, with tangible examples behind it. The term-time timetable documented then makes it especially relevant to families whose childcare needs follow the school calendar.