Daisybank Day Nursery Bollington

Water carried to a toy cement mixer, towers measured with tape measures and potatoes washed by babies: Daisybank’s June 2022 activities made everyday objects part of learning. This Bollington nursery occupies The Old Methodist Church and has capacity for 50 children, from birth to five years.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective, with strong key-person relationships and mathematical learning, alongside improvements needed in group activities and the pace of conversations. That is a dated assessment, rather than a description of today’s daily practice.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care. In parent terms, it brings learning and care together: play, conversation and everyday routines all have a part in children’s development.

In June 2022, activities differed across the age groups. Babies washed potatoes while exploring healthy food; toddlers sorted shapes with a transport theme; preschool children discussed the sounds in words through a teddy’s holiday belongings. These examples connected early language and number work to objects children could handle and discuss.

Mathematics extended beyond counting. Children compared tower heights using tape measures, while sand and water play introduced ideas about quantity. In the garden, children worked together to carry water from a tap to their toy cement mixer, testing a solution of their own rather than following an adult’s instructions.

Outings were another part of nursery life in June 2022. A dedicated minibus supported frequent visits to woodland, parks and the library. Exploring streams and climbing trees gave children opportunities to practise judging manageable risks beyond the nursery.

In June 2022, children had close relationships with their key person. Familiar signals helped them anticipate changes in the day: a bell preceded tidying, followed by music that prompted children to put resources away together. The practical value was predictability, with children taking an active part in the routine.

Daily circle time included talking about feelings. Children discussed their own emotions and listened to others, making emotional language part of the shared day.

The same June 2022 assessment identified a limitation in adult conversation: questions sometimes came too quickly, leaving children too little thinking time. Some group activities also continued beyond children’s interest. Both points matter when judging how well adult-led learning responds to children’s pace.

The address is The Old Methodist Church, Wellington Road, Bollington, SK10 5JR.

In June 2022, the nursery opened throughout the year on weekdays, with session times of 8am to 6pm. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Group learning. In June 2022, some activities lasted too long for children to stay involved. During a visit, ask how practitioners now adapt group activities when attention fades.
• Time to respond. June 2022 conversations sometimes moved ahead before children could answer. Look for pauses that allow children to formulate their own replies.
• Attendance arrangements. The June 2022 day ran from 8am to 6pm. Ask which booking patterns now fit your intended attendance.

Daisybank merits consideration for families drawn to practical exploration and outings: its June 2022 examples included collaborative garden play, mathematical investigation and minibus trips. The assessment also gives parents clear questions about group activities and conversational pace. Its current age range accommodates babies through to five-year-olds; the dated daily-life account provides a useful starting point for assessing the fit.