Parklands Day Nursery

A wooden Tepee of Tales for stories and singing, grounds surrounded by fields, and outdoor suits for every child give Parklands Day Nursery a clear identity: there is room here for childhood to spread outdoors. The countryside setting in Stapeley, Nantwich, is more than a backdrop. Separate play areas let younger children explore at their own pace while preschool children move directly between their room and playground.

At its 12 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Parklands Good, found safeguarding effective and praised the support and progress of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There were also improvements to make, centred on the organisation of busy routines and the feedback staff received about their interactions with children. Those practical concerns matter alongside the positive judgement.

Parklands accepts children aged 2 to 60 months. Morning, afternoon and full-day sessions give families different ways to use the nursery, with attendance across the year rather than only during school terms.

Rooms and Ages

The 0-2 Rooms give younger babies a separate space, balancing children's choices with adult-led exploration through messy play using water, paint and sand.

OWLS ROOM, for ages 2-3 years, introduces writing, letters, numbers, shapes and colours through play, combining structured activities with children's choices, its own messy play space and a separate dining room where eating with staff makes meals a social occasion.

FOXES ROOM, for ages 3-5 years, balances adult-led activities with children's choices and emphasises independence and resilience, with its own dining room and direct playground access allowing play to continue outdoors.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play used to build skills and understanding. In Foxes, Development Matters also helps staff plan activities around children's interests and the next steps in their development. The useful detail is the planning around the individual child, rather than the curriculum's name alone.

In July 2024, the day included bubble play for babies, ring games for toddlers and yoga for older children. Books were shared closely with staff and taken home for families to read together. These examples show different entry points into learning: movement, conversation and playful repetition, rather than the same activity for every age.

A visit from Kixx Football Academy brought practice in controlling a ball, balancing and coordinating movements, with children also following instructions. This was a visiting session, rather than a promise of a regular football programme. Healthy Eating Week brought planting and watering in the vegetable patches alongside activities involving the smell, taste and feel of fruit. Food became something to investigate as well as eat.

Outdoor and Community Life

Tepee of Tales is made from local wood carved on site and used for imaginative play, picnics, songs and stories. It gives the grounds a recognisable gathering place. All-in-one outdoor suits are supplied for every child, supporting play in wet weather as well as sunshine.

The Nursery Play Area serves children aged 0-3 years, with digging and growing spaces, construction play, swings and climbing equipment. Shaded areas allow quieter activities, including reading and singing. That mix matters: outdoor provision includes somewhere to pause as well as somewhere to move.

Older children have the Pre School Play Area, where a wooden workbench, mud kitchen and construction space extend practical and imaginative play. A covered section provides space for creative activities and early mark making in different weather. The layout makes outdoor learning a continuation of the room's day.

Family events also make use of the grounds. The Easter Egg Hunt in 2025 supported Claire House Children's Hospice, with children searching outside for eggs. World Book Day celebrations have included pyjamas, favourite stories, story-related activities and a menu linked to books. These are concrete examples of families and nursery experiences connecting, rather than a claim about a fixed events calendar.

Relationships and Communication

For babies, continuity with home routines is an explicit part of the care arrangements. Staff work with families on individual requirements, and a diary book travels home after each session with details of the child's day. Parents can add information for the next session or share it with other family members. That two-way record is useful when different adults handle care at home.

In July 2024, staff spent time learning about children and their families during settling in. Children discussed feelings through books and conversations, while everyday independence included babies helping put toys away and older children managing coats and belongings. These were small, practical steps towards doing things for themselves.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that early help and successful intervention plans supported children with SEND, but identified excessive waiting around lunch and sleep and insufficiently precise supervision feedback for some staff. The concern was concrete: some children became unsettled between routines, and some activities did not hold their attention. Families should weigh how the day is organised as well as which activities it contains.

School preparation builds on everyday habits. Foxes emphasises independence and resilience, and in July 2024 older children were attempting to write their names and taking responsibility for their belongings. These experiences support the practical changes involved in moving on to school.

Home-cooked food is part of the offer, and the 2026 sample menu includes homemade lasagne, a haddock-and-leek bake, fruit and vegetable accompaniments, breakfasts, teas and snacks. The menu gives parents concrete examples of the food children may encounter across the day.

Sessions and Attendance

Parklands is at First Dig Lane, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7JT. It opens Monday to Friday, with a full-day session running from 7.30am to 6pm, a morning session from 7.30am to 12.30pm and an afternoon session from 1pm to 6pm. The morning session ends at 12.30pm, and the afternoon session starts at 1pm.

The nursery operates for 52 weeks, closing on bank holidays. That year-round pattern is relevant for families whose childcare needs continue through school holidays. Enquiries and brochure requests can be made by telephone or email, and the nursery invites families to view its rooms and grounds.

Getting There

A large on-site car park supports journeys to the rural setting. Parklands is surrounded by countryside, with access to Crewe and Nantwich and nearby connections to the A500 and M6.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education is offered for children aged 2, 3 and 4, and for eligible children from 9 months old. Parklands offers two packages for using this funding; entitlement depends on eligibility, so the funded offer should be considered separately from the session a family chooses.

Parents supply nappies, creams and formula for children in the 0-2 Rooms, with staff preparing bottles. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Lunch and sleep transitions. In July 2024, some children waited too long between lunch and the next part of the day, and staff supervision needed sharper feedback. On a visit, ask how these transitions now work and how staff receive practical guidance about their interactions.
• Separate session windows. Morning attendance finishes at 12.30pm, while the afternoon begins at 1pm. Match these timings to your working day and collection arrangements before choosing between a morning, afternoon or full day.
• Funding and the complete cost. Two funding packages sit alongside the session choices, and parents supply baby nappies, creams and formula. Request a written breakdown showing how your entitlement, additional hours, meals and other charges fit your proposed attendance.
• Baby routines and outdoor play. The younger-baby space, home diary and supplied outdoor suits are useful starting points for a visit. Discuss how your baby's sleep and feeding routines fit the day, and look at how the youngest children use the grounds.

Parklands suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as full-day attendance throughout the year. Countryside grounds, age-related play spaces and Tepee of Tales give outdoor learning character; the baby diary connects care with home.

The July 2024 Good judgement is balanced by concerns about busy routines and staff feedback. The attendance choices and outdoor spaces are clear attractions, while smooth transitions between activities deserve attention.