Kids Planet Rope Green Farm

Animal feeding and a growing vegetable patch give Kids Planet Rope Green Farm its character. The farm setting in Shavington puts children close to living things, with a large outdoor area built for play, planting, digging and climbing. For families who want nature to be part of an ordinary nursery day, these are concrete attractions.

At its 22 May 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion to be at Strong standard, the remaining assessed areas at Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. That is a set of separate judgements, rather than an overall grade. The distinction matters: inclusion was the strongest assessed area, while teaching still had specific next steps.

Children can attend from three months to five years. Full-day, morning and afternoon bookings give families different ways to use the setting, rather than a single attendance pattern.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning and care, bringing play, communication, physical development and growing independence into the day. At Rope Green Farm, the outdoor setting adds practical experiences: children feed animals and follow the growth of vegetables. There is something real to investigate, and something that needs looking after.

In May 2026, learning activities connected small physical skills with everyday tasks. Younger children practised scooping during play, linking the movement to feeding themselves. Babies attempted bridges with adult support, toddlers tore leaves, and older children used scissors to cut paper. These examples show different stages of physical development being addressed through manageable actions.

Books, rhymes and gestures also featured in May 2026. Babies joined familiar songs with movements, while children used signs to request more at snack time. Communication was woven into practical moments as well as shared activities. A child could express a need while taking part in the same routine as their friends.

Older children's interest in insects led into learning about life cycles in May 2026. Counting appeared during meals, too, as children counted portions while serving themselves. The next step was to make mathematics broader: measure and space needed more consistent attention, and some adult conversations needed to give children longer to develop their ideas. These are useful points for parents who value extended discussion alongside active play.

Outdoor and Community Life

A large, purpose-built outdoor play area supports the farm's emphasis on exploration. Climbing and digging offer physical challenges; planting and animal care give children reasons to notice change and return to an activity over time. The vegetable patch is a tangible connection between growing things and the natural world.

In May 2026, toddlers rode bicycles outdoors and older children investigated insects in the garden. Children also discussed wearing helmets while cycling. Outdoor activity therefore supplied both opportunities for movement and practical situations in which to think about safety.

Links with the local church and high school involve visits, projects and shared events. These extend the nursery's community contact beyond its own grounds.

Relationships and Communication

In May 2026, familiar key people shared stories with babies and helped children settle into play. Children sought adults for reassurance, and staff supported them in recognising and expressing feelings. For a parent, the useful detail is the relationship: a familiar practitioner was involved in both enjoyable activities and moments when a child needed comfort.

Recognition of kindness had a practical form in May 2026: children received a helper badge and explained its meaning to others. Helping friends at meals gave that recognition a connection to daily behaviour. Independence also appeared at the table, where children poured drinks and served food for themselves.

The group-wide Famly app, included in the branch's offer, provides updates during the day. In May 2026, staff also shared developmental information and ideas for activities at home. Those conversations gave parents practical ways to connect home experiences with nursery learning.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that individual adjustments, close monitoring and work with parents and professionals supported inclusion effectively. Smaller gatherings helped children concentrate, visual prompts and Makaton supported communication, and attendance times were adapted for children who found busy periods difficult. Makaton was used to help children communicate alongside visual support.

A nursery SENDCO role provides a current point of contact for recognising individual needs and coordinating support with the team. There is also a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a safeguarding team. These are identifiable responsibilities within the setting.

In May 2026, staff showed understanding of safer sleep, feeding and weaning, and considered children's allergies and dietary requirements during meals. Freshly prepared food and snacks form part of the current offer, with dietary needs catered for; private fees include food, while days using funded hours carry separate meal charges.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Rope Lane, Shavington, Crewe, CW2 5DB. Opening hours run from 7.30am until 6.30pm on weekdays, across 52 weeks of the year, with bank holidays excluded.

Full Day runs from 7.30am to 6.30pm. Morning runs from 7.30am to 1pm, and Afternoon from 1pm to 6.30pm. A Full Time option uses the same daily window, and ad hoc hourly care is also offered. The morning and afternoon patterns provide substantial blocks of care for families whose schedules do not require a whole day.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01270 650 074 or by email to ropegreenfarm@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk. Online application and tour booking are also offered.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare and privately paid care are both offered. The distinction between their charge structures deserves attention: private fees include snacks and meals, plus sun cream, formula, wipes and nappies. Sports activities and the parent app are also included in the branch's group-wide package.

On days when early years funding is used, meals, consumables and activities are charged separately. The charge category depends on the funded hours applied that day. Families should obtain a current written quotation covering their chosen sessions, private hours and funding, so the total reflects their own booking rather than a headline session price.

• Teaching beyond counting. In May 2026, measure and space needed more consistent attention, and some interactions needed to extend children's thinking further. During a tour, ask how staff now develop these areas through farm activities and everyday play.
• Funded-day extras. Meals, activities and consumables carry separate charges on days using early years funding. Request a written breakdown for the attendance pattern you intend to use, including how those extras apply.
• A farm day for your child. Animal care, digging and planting are central attractions. Use a visit to discuss how your child's age, settling needs and comfort outdoors would shape their participation.
• Dietary requirements. Food provision caters for dietary needs, and allergy procedures were part of practice in May 2026. Families affected by allergies should confirm the current arrangements for their child before joining.

Rope Green Farm suits families drawn to animal care, gardening and active outdoor experiences, whether they need full days or morning and afternoon sessions. Its strongest assessed area in May 2026 was inclusion, with concrete adjustments for children needing additional support. The teaching next steps deserve a direct conversation, as does the separate charging on funded days. The farm gives this nursery a clear identity; the attendance options make that experience usable for different family routines.