Childsplay Day Nursery

Sand, sieves and cog wheels give Childsplay Day Nursery's inspection-era account its character: children learning by handling, experimenting and talking. This Ellesmere Port setting has capacity for 61 children aged 0 to 60 months.

At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised that learning was adapted for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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, bringing education and everyday wellbeing into the same framework. In October 2022, staff used children's interests to shape activities and help them take the next step in learning.

Babies experimented with sand in October 2022, scooping and pouring and seeing what happened when it passed through a sieve. Another activity involved fitting cogs onto a pole. These were hands-on opportunities to explore materials and concentrate on a task.

Language also ran through play in October 2022. Adults supplied simple words for babies to repeat, while older children held conversations with adults and one another. Everyday routines gave children responsibilities: they helped clear away toys, shared resources and brought others into their games.

In October 2022, children had close relationships with their key person and other practitioners, with physical comfort and reassurance helping them settle. Staff gathered information from families when children joined, giving them a starting point for understanding each child.

Practical independence was encouraged in October 2022. Younger children fed themselves; older children tackled boots and coat fastenings. Handwashing, wiping noses and covering coughs made hygiene part of daily life. These small tasks helped children practise looking after themselves before moving rooms or starting school.

Ofsted's October 2022 inspection identified two improvements: more individualised development feedback for staff, because some were unclear about activities' learning purposes, and more frequent progress information for parents to support learning at home. Both matter beyond the nursery day: staff need a clear reason for an activity, and parents need to understand what their child is learning.

Childsplay Day Nursery is at 1d Seymour Drive, Overpool, Ellesmere Port, CH66 1LZ. It opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, throughout the year apart from bank holidays. That opening window gives families a practical starting point for matching care with working hours.

In October 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is an inspection-time funding position.

• Progress updates. The October 2022 improvement point concerned how often parents received information about learning. Ask how progress is now shared and how families can use it at home.
• Purposeful activities. In October 2022, some staff needed clearer understanding of what activities were intended to teach. Ask how individual staff development now supports consistent planning.
• Attendance arrangements. The opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays. Which booking pattern would fit your family's routine?

Childsplay suits families seeking weekday care across the year, with an inspection-era emphasis on practical exploration, language and growing independence. The October 2022 assessment provides a positive starting point, balanced by specific questions about staff development and communication with parents.