Early Start Private Day Nursery

Stories spilling into outdoor play give Early Start Private Day Nursery a recognisable character. In March 2026, children followed The Paper Dolls with chalk drawings around their friends outside, connecting a book with movement and creative play.

At its March 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged behaviour, attitudes and routines to be at Strong standard, the other five areas at Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. The balance matters: positive relationships and cooperative play sat alongside uneven teaching practice.

The Oswaldtwistle nursery accepts children from birth to five and has 85 places in total.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing communication, physical skills and social development into everyday play.

In March 2026, babies investigated sensory materials and movement, while toddlers used pretend play and practical problems to explore ideas. Sand and water gave younger children opportunities to count scoops and consider how much containers held. Older children explored vehicle dimensions through estimation. These activities made early number work concrete.

Puppets and instruments accompanied singing in March 2026, and older children retold a familiar story featuring the Big Bad Wolf. Books also connected indoor learning with outdoor activity through The Paper Dolls. Children could pursue energetic play outside or choose painting, building and pretend play. Collaborative block building gave older children a shared task that required them to exchange ideas.

In March 2026, babies' feeding arrangements reflected parental preferences, with formula prepared as needed. Familiar routines and responsive key-person care helped babies settle, while older children sought staff support when they needed it. Toothbrushing demonstrations made health routines part of the day.

At the March 2026 inspection, Ofsted found expected progress and targeted additional support, but identified inconsistent teaching, missed chances to develop independence, uneven application of inclusion strategies and insufficiently precise evaluation of improvements. These were practical weaknesses: a child could receive encouragement yet miss an opportunity to attempt a task independently or take learning further.

In March 2026, parents received updates through an online app and conversations with their child's key person. Staff adjusted activities and the environment for children needing additional help, monitored interventions and used funding where needed. Food was freshly prepared and home-cooked, and children could drink water throughout the day.

Early Start Nursery occupies Stanhill Works, Tennyson Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 4QZ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. That opening window gives families a clear boundary for planning care around work.

• Consistency across ages. In March 2026, teaching varied between age groups. Ask how staff guidance now helps each age group build on what children already know.
• Independence in daily routines. The March 2026 findings included missed opportunities for children to practise self-help skills. A visit can explore how practitioners decide when to assist and when to let a child try.
• Leadership follow-through. The March 2026 next steps called for sharper staff feedback and a more systematic review of the whole nursery. Ask what changes followed and how their effect on children is assessed.

Early Start suits families seeking care from babyhood through the preschool years within weekday opening hours that extend from early morning into the evening. Its March 2026 strengths lay in familiar routines, cooperative play and relationships with staff. The decision turns on consistency: engaging activities were evident, but teaching and leadership evaluation needed greater precision. Families should weigh that distinction alongside the practical opening hours.