Hollybrook Nursery

Counting insect legs, turning sand into dinosaur territory and measuring water gave Hollybrook's May 2022 day a practical, playful character. These were activities with a purpose: children could explore an interest while practising number, language or movement.

At its 19 May 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged Hollybrook Good overall and found safeguarding effective, while identifying toddler language development as the area needing further work. Hollybrook Nursery has capacity for 80 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 59 months, in Adlington, Chorley.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning and care, bringing play, communication and personal development into the day. In May 2022, children helped shape activities: an interest in dinosaurs prompted staff to add them to the sandpit, while pretend teaching became an opportunity to make a register.

Number work also grew out of play that month. Children compared insect legs and the height of wooden logs; toddlers counted candles for pretend birthday cakes. Water containers gave preschool children something concrete to estimate and measure. The play house offered somewhere to read, and mud with paintbrushes supported mark-making. Toddlers used sponges and water in pretend window-cleaning, giving physical activity a familiar everyday theme. Learning did not depend solely on sitting down for an adult-led task.

In May 2022, children sought staff out to join their play and showed consideration towards others. Parents contributed to children's learning, creating a connection between home and nursery activities.

Everyday independence was another part of that month's provision. Children used cups and cutlery, managed handwashing and toileting, and changed into wellies for outdoor play. These small tasks gave them opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Hollybrook's address is Jolly House, 94 Market Street, Adlington, Chorley, PR7 4HF. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and three days at Christmas.

In May 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Toddler conversation. In May 2022, support for toddlers' new vocabulary and emerging speech was inconsistent. Ask how staff now build speaking practice into toddler play.
• Matching care to attendance. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm. At a visit, discuss which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangements fit your week.

Hollybrook suits families seeking weekday, year-round childcare who value practical play and opportunities for children to become more independent. Its May 2022 examples show how ordinary materials could become useful learning tools. The toddler-language improvement point deserves attention when weighing that dated picture against the care your child needs now.