Charnwood Day Nursery

A converted house, a growing garden and regular outings give Charnwood Day Nursery its character in Shepshed. The outdoor space supports daily play, while tending plants gives children a practical way to explore nature. This is a setting with concrete experiences to build a child's day around.

At its August 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, while identifying missed opportunities to extend learning and uneven quality in staff interactions. Those findings matter alongside the appealing physical setting: the activity itself and the adult's response both shape what a child gains from it.

Charnwood has capacity for 45 children, accepting ages from birth to 60 months. That is the whole nursery's capacity, rather than the size of an individual room.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the required framework for learning and care here. In August 2023, children explored shapes and letters through making marks, developed language through conversations and practised independence during everyday routines. These examples show how learning could connect with something children were already doing.

Fence painting brought several skills together in August 2023. Children used mud, water and brushes to make shapes and practise letters, strengthening their grip as they worked. An outside tap also became part of the activity: children replenished their water and carried it back together. There was scope for both individual experimentation and cooperation.

Other August 2023 activities involved real hammers, nails and protective goggles. Staff explained how to check the surrounding space before starting, and children practised hammering nails before stretching elastic between them. The task demanded care and persistence. Musical play also grew from children's interests at home, with improvised instruments and a wooden stage allowing them to develop an idea together.

The current approach centres on learning through play, with confidence, independence and social skills among its aims. Rooms cater for different developmental stages, from babies through to preschool children.

Outdoor and Community Life

Garden play is part of the daily offer. The Growing Garden gives children opportunities to care for plants and learn about their environment, making outdoor time about responsibility as well as exploration.

Regular outings extend experiences into the surrounding community. Parks and nearby community spaces form part of that local exploration. For families who value children becoming familiar with their surroundings, this adds another setting for play and learning beyond the converted house.

At the August 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described support that took account of children's learning needs, including SEND and English as an additional language. These are dated findings, rather than a judgement on today's practice.

In August 2023, children sought staff out for comfort and help, and practitioners knew their interests and family circumstances. Parents received information about care and learning, including ways to continue learning at home. That connection between home experiences and nursery activities gave families a practical role in the day.

Current communication includes the Nursery App, which provides updates as the day unfolds. Parents also receive information about development, activities and progress, helping them follow more than the immediate care routine.

A SENCo role supports children with additional needs. This provides a specific point of responsibility for tailored support, rather than leaving inclusion as a general aspiration.

Fresh meals are prepared by an on-site chef. Having food preparation within the nursery is a useful practical feature for families considering how meals fit into their child's day.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year. Families planning work and holiday cover therefore need to allow for those closures.

Getting There

The address is 120 Charnwood Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9NP. The converted house stands on Charnwood Road, just off Ashby Road, giving families a clear location to assess against their daily route.

Funding and Paid Extras

In August 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two and three. That establishes its participation at the time of that inspection.

• Teaching beyond the planned task. In August 2023, some practitioners missed chances to develop skills beyond an activity's original aim, and coaching had yet to produce consistently effective interactions. On a visit, ask how staff now recognise and extend children's unexpected ideas.
• Your attendance and cost plan. The weekday opening window and Christmas closure are practical starting points. Which booking pattern would suit your child, and how would funded hours, meals and care products be treated within that arrangement?
• Outdoor experiences. Daily garden play, plant care and regular outings are central practical attractions. Consider how well this combination matches your child's interests and your priorities for their nursery day.

Charnwood suits families who value daily outdoor play, opportunities to tend plants and regular exploration of the local community. The converted house and on-site food preparation give the setting a clear practical identity.

The August 2023 Good judgement sits alongside specific teaching improvements, so the strongest decision will weigh the physical offer together with how practitioners extend children's learning. For parents seeking care across the year within a weekday opening window, Charnwood merits consideration on those terms.