Partou Hilltops Day Nursery & Pre-school

Independent play and close relationships with staff are the strongest threads in Hilltops' inspection account: children chose their activities, experimented with natural materials and practised doing things for themselves. At its October 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, while identifying weaknesses in how some activities sustained attention and addressed individual learning needs.

Partou Hilltops Day Nursery & Pre-school is at 119 Heapey Road, Chorley, PR6 9BJ. It has 69 places in total and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months. The inspection observations below describe October 2021 practice.

In October 2021, playrooms were arranged so children could move between activities and make choices independently. A pretend farm offered opportunities for imaginative play, while natural materials encouraged exploration and creativity. These were concrete ways for children to direct their play rather than wait for an adult to choose an activity.

Books, stories and conversations with staff supported language development that month. Outside, bicycles and parachute activities gave children opportunities to practise movement and coordination. Learning therefore extended beyond activities at a table.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and physical activity contribute to that learning. In October 2021, however, some group activities lost children's attention, and some activities did not address each child's next learning steps. The practical distinction matters: an engaging activity also needs a clear purpose for the child taking part.

At the October 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, younger children's care responsive, and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effective through family collaboration and individual adjustments.

During that month, staff comforted upset younger children and responded when babies approached them. Extended settling sessions helped children become familiar with nursery life. At lunch, children practised serving food and pouring drinks, making everyday care an opportunity to build independence.

Home activities also connected families with children's learning in October 2021. An autumn treasure hunt, questions for older children to investigate and books borrowed from the lending library gave parents concrete ways to continue activities together.

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, across the year. It closes on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. That Christmas closure is a practical consideration for families whose work continues through the holiday period.

The address is 119 Heapey Road, Chorley, PR6 9BJ.

• Purposeful group learning. In October 2021, some activities lost children's attention or missed individual learning needs. On a visit, ask how practitioners now adapt group activities for children at different stages.
• Settling for younger children. Extended settling sessions formed part of October 2021 practice. Ask how a starting plan would accommodate your child's routines and comfort needs.
• Attendance and costs. The opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays. Ask which booking pattern fits your family and request a written quotation separating childcare, funded hours, food and consumables.

Hilltops merits consideration for families seeking weekday childcare across the year who value independent play and practical links between home and nursery. Its October 2021 account contains useful examples of both. The learning weaknesses also deserve attention: purposeful group activities and individual next steps should be central to a visit discussion.