Lilliput Private Nursery School

A giant bubble made with a hula hoop gives a useful picture of Lilliput’s learning in April 2022: staff took children’s curiosity and turned it into an investigation. At its 14 April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, progressed well from their individual starting points.

Lilliput Private Nursery School has capacity for 39 children aged 3 to 60 months at 33 Town Lane, Whittle Le Woods, Chorley, PR6 7DJ. Its inspection strengths included language development and communication with parents; the improvement point concerned giving children more opportunities to do things themselves.

In April 2022, learning followed children’s interests and their next developmental steps. Bubble play became an exploration of how bubbles form. Dough activities encouraged children to describe textures and actions, making conversation part of practical play rather than a separate exercise.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for learning, development and care: for parents, that means play serves a learning purpose alongside everyday care. In April 2022, babies joined in Row, Row, Row Your Boat, while older children chose activities from the toys provided. These examples show different ways of participating, from shared singing to directing their own play.

A purpose-built outdoor play area supported physical activity in April 2022. Children also considered garden hazards before playing, giving them a role in thinking about safety. Independence was less consistent: children put on outdoor clothing themselves, but staff sometimes served food when children could have managed the task.

In April 2022, staff knew their key children’s abilities and next learning steps. The worry monster gave children a way to express feelings during self-registration, creating an opening for staff to discuss emotions. Peer massage was another wellbeing activity used at that time.

Communication extended beyond conversations with staff. In April 2022, parents received updates about their children’s day through a parent app. A nursery chef also cooked meals and snacks, and children were encouraged to taste unfamiliar foods. That offered opportunities to explore food alongside the daily routine.

The address is 33 Town Lane, Whittle Le Woods, Chorley, PR6 7DJ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round opening apart from bank holidays and Christmas.

In April 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged three and four. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about an individual family’s entitlement.

• Doing things independently. In April 2022, children managed their coats and wellies, but adults sometimes took over food-serving tasks. During a visit, look at how children now participate in snack and mealtime routines.
• Matching care to your child. The age range spans 3 to 60 months. Ask how settling, daily attendance and any funded hours would work together for your child.

Lilliput suits families seeking year-round weekday care who value play built around children’s interests. The April 2022 picture combines practical exploration, songs, outdoor activity and ways to talk about feelings. Its clearest caution is equally practical: children needed more consistent chances to handle everyday tasks themselves. The Good judgement belongs to that inspection date.