Mulberry Bush Nursery Whitefield

Babies choosing water-play resources and preschool children voting for their next story give Mulberry Bush Nursery Whitefield a recognisable character: children have a say in their day. Those examples come from May 2022, rather than a description of today's routines.

At its 16 May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective, praised its SEND provision and judged that children made good progress. The setting on Sefton Street, Whitefield, accepts children aged 0 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play helping children build skills and understanding. In May 2022, staff used each child's interests and assessments to plan their next steps; planned work on sounds also supported preparation for school.

For babies, baskets containing familiar objects gave small hands something to explore. Preschool craft activities encouraged imaginative expression. In May 2022, outdoor play happened daily: children made obstacle courses, played with sand and moved ribbons as they danced. This brought movement into the learning day.

Choice extended beyond selecting an activity. In May 2022, preschool children helped decide which story or rhyme came next, while a toy passed between children marked whose turn it was to talk. These were concrete ways to practise making decisions and listening to others.

In May 2022, relationships with a key person helped children settle. Support for children with SEND included individual targets, additional adults, staff training and help from outside the nursery. These mechanisms matter more than a broad promise of inclusion.

Daily discussions kept parents involved in May 2022, and babies took home a book containing information about their day. Staff also discussed children's learning with families, connecting nursery activities with support at home.

At that time, staff read children's dietary needs aloud before meals, and parents accessed the building using fingerprint recognition. Supervision meetings identified training needs, while newer staff had mentors. The inspection-era picture includes practical routines and support for practitioners, alongside the child-facing care.

The address is Mulberry Bush Nursery, Sefton Street, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 7ET. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; the nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and a week at Christmas.

In May 2022, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise about a family's present entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Noise during transitions. In May 2022, preparations for outdoor play distracted children who were still engaged in activities. Discuss how these changes are organised during a visit.
• Everyday independence. In May 2022, adults sometimes completed dressing and personal-care tasks children could practise themselves. Look for opportunities to manage coats, footwear and simple self-care alongside help when needed.
• Attendance fit. The opening window spans weekdays from early morning to evening, with bank-holiday and Christmas closures. Which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family's week?

Mulberry Bush Nursery Whitefield suits families seeking childcare across the year, with an inspection-era picture of child choice, outdoor activity and close key-person relationships. Its May 2022 strengths sit alongside two useful tests for a visit: how calmly the day changes pace, and how much children are encouraged to do for themselves.