Early Learning Academy

Music for babies and coordination activities for older children gave Early Learning Academy a clear early-years character at its April 2024 inspection. At its April 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found that its curriculum helped children become confident, independent learners, while identifying a need for more precisely targeted staff development.

Based at Ellesmere Port Campus on Sutton Way, the nursery has 60 places in total and accepts ages from 0 to 120 months. That whole-setting capacity is separate from the number attending any particular activity or room.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2024 examples included learning through music, books, physical activity and exploration, giving children different ways to practise emerging skills.

In April 2024, babies explored rhythm through dancing, singing and instruments, while older children took part in sports activities designed around balance, coordination and awareness of space. Books introduced the connection between print and meaning; older children experimented with marks representing stories and their names. Number songs brought counting language into babies' play, and staff gently corrected mathematical mistakes.

A small snail also became a learning opportunity that month. Staff encouraged children to examine it and discuss care for living things. A sand timer helped older children practise waiting: patience had a concrete reference point rather than simply being an instruction.

At the April 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and identified parent partnership as a strength, with external advice informing activities matched to individual needs.

In April 2024, children sought out their key person and separated readily from parents. Staff helped them identify feelings and interpret facial expressions, giving them language for emotions as well as support with managing them. Handwashing after nose-wiping and toileting, and before meals, formed part of learning to handle personal care.

Communication extended beyond the nursery day that month. Staff shared progress information and helped parents continue learning at home. Leaders also planned what children should learn before moving between rooms and on to primary school, connecting everyday activities with their next stage.

The address is Ellesmere Port Campus, Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 7BF. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holiday closures.

In April 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of its funding offer, rather than a guarantee of an individual child's entitlement or booking.

• Consistency of teaching. In April 2024, training was not matched closely enough to staff needs. Ask how professional development now addresses individual practice and consistency across the team.
• Age and attendance fit. The accepted age range extends beyond the early-years children described in April 2024. How would care be organised for your child's age and proposed attendance pattern?

Early Learning Academy suits families who value learning through movement, music and everyday discoveries, alongside a key-person relationship and communication about progress. The April 2024 picture gives these priorities substance, from rhythm activities for babies to support shaped around individual needs. The main reservation is the precision of staff development: families should use that improvement point to make their conversation about teaching specific.