Daintry Hall Day Nursery

A former village school, countryside views and a Wildlife Garden give Daintry Hall Day Nursery a recognisable rural character. Its Grade II listed building in North Rode dates to 1835, but the children's experiences extend beyond the old classrooms: a neighbouring farm, visiting mobile library and church events connect nursery life with the surrounding community.

At its 24 August 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding overall. Today, it accepts children aged 3 to 59 months and has 52 places in total. Those whole-nursery places are separate from the smaller caps attached to individual rooms, including a maximum of 12 babies in The Baby Room.

For parents, the strongest combination is practical care for younger children and increasingly independent play as they grow. Home routines guide baby care, while older children can choose resources, help at mealtimes and explore several outdoor spaces. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Rooms and Ages

The Baby Room accommodates up to 12 babies, from 12 weeks to approximately 18 months, with an open-plan layout, low shelves and baskets of wooden objects and household items that encourage exploration. Its smaller room cap is a useful starting point for families weighing the scale of their baby's first childcare setting.

The Toddler room also accommodates 12 children, from 18 months to approximately 2 years 3 months, combining accessible toys, a home corner and outdoor play with an emphasis on movement, communication and growing independence. Keeping resources within children's reach makes choosing an activity part of the learning itself.

The Play room takes up to 12 children aged 2 years 5 months to 3 years, with investigation, self-selected activities and preparation for preschool alongside French, basic Makaton and Stretch and Grow. Choosing activities gives children practice in making decisions as they prepare for preschool.

In the Pre School unit, up to 24 children use a separate, purpose-built classroom with an open-plan arrangement that supports choosing activities and developing independence for school. The move into this space brings a greater emphasis on school preparation while retaining opportunities for children to direct their play.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, planned activities sit alongside play chosen by children, with planning adjusted to their interests and next steps. Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters guide planning alongside the EYFS, helping practitioners adapt activities to each child's interests.

Weekly preschool activities include music, French and Forest sessions. The latter sit alongside Forest School Sessions supported through a partnership with Broadleaf Forest Adventures, using outdoor exploration as part of learning. This gives the outdoor spaces an educational role beyond time for running around.

In August 2022, children's interests prompted practical investigations. A holiday connection led to postcard making, while an ice-cream project brought together learning about milk, a visit to a cow field and making ice cream. These examples show how one subject could connect conversation, early writing and first-hand discovery.

Outdoor and Community Life

The Wildlife Garden has rougher ground for digging and investigating insects, with a mud kitchen for pretend play and experiments using natural materials. Elsewhere, the enclosed grass garden provides space for active play, and a courtyard accommodates bikes, painting and meals at picnic tables. The spaces serve different purposes.

A farm beside the nursery car park and regular countryside walks extend exploration beyond the grounds. The visiting mobile library adds another kind of independence: children choose books, look after borrowed copies and return them on a later visit. Community participation includes Harvest Festival and a Christmas Nativity play in the neighbouring church, giving families shared occasions as well as everyday childcare.

Relationships and Communication

Baby care follows home routines through a key person and the room team. Settling visits are tailored to each family, with time to discuss routines and preferences before attendance begins. That is a concrete way to make the change from home care more familiar, rather than expecting every baby to adjust in the same way.

In August 2022, extra sessions helped children who needed more emotional support to settle. Daily conversations and online communication kept parents involved, and learning packs covered potty training, hospital visits and starting school. These were practical links between nursery and home, addressing changes that can affect a child's confidence as well as their learning.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the August 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with SEND exceptionally strong, including visual schedules, warnings before activity changes and joint work with parents and other agencies to obtain additional resources. The useful detail is the adjustment to the child's day: predictable routines and advance notice helped children understand what would happen next.

Toddlers sleep on individual mattresses, with familiar comforters where preferred and staff remaining beside them until they wake. Children in the Play room can also rest quietly after lunch. Baby menus are adapted for weaning, dietary needs and allergies; toddler mealtimes include opportunities to help set tables and gradually serve food themselves.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Church Lane, North Rode, Congleton, CW12 2PE. The nursery opens throughout the year from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Families balancing work with childcare should account for those closures when planning their annual arrangements.

Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by calling 01260 223 568. The car park sits beside the neighbouring farm, linking the nursery's rural setting with opportunities for visits rather than simply providing a backdrop.

Funding and Paid Extras

In August 2022, the nursery received funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That is a dated funding position. Families comparing the total cost of attendance should obtain a current written quotation that separates childcare hours from any associated charges.

• Baby-room scale and routines. The Baby Room has a maximum of 12 babies and follows home routines. During a visit, discuss how the key person and team would accommodate your child's sleep, feeding and settling needs.
• Moving between rooms. The Toddler room and Play room have different age descriptions and increasing expectations for independence. Discuss how room changes are decided for an individual child, including rest and toileting needs.
• Understanding the extras. The Play room includes Stretch and Grow alongside French and basic Makaton. Ask what these activities involve and how children take part, as well as requesting a written breakdown of funded hours, meals and consumables.
• Dietary arrangements. Baby menus are adapted for allergies and weaning. Families managing an allergy should confirm current preparation and serving procedures for their child's room.

Daintry Hall suits families who value countryside experiences, separate stages of provision and care that pays attention to home routines. The Wildlife Garden, mobile library and farm connection give children concrete reasons to explore, talk and take responsibility. Its weekday opening window can support working parents, while the room arrangements allow care to change as children become more independent. The Outstanding judgement belongs to August 2022; the practical decision is how today's routines and room transitions fit your own child.