Little Brook Nursery

Shape names, story actions and scooter rides give Little Brook Nursery’s May 2023 nursery day its character: learning stretched from conversation and mathematics to physical play outdoors. At its 4 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall.

At 1 Blake Street, Accrington, BB5 1RE, the nursery now caters for children aged two to five and has capacity for 72 children. The inspection’s main improvement point concerned how staff were positioned to handle more challenging behaviour consistently. That deserves attention alongside the positive account of children’s learning.

In May 2023, children’s interests shaped activity planning, with extra challenge built in for children ready to take their learning further. Mathematics had a clear place in the day: children recognised shapes including a cuboid and a rhombus. These are concrete examples of learning that went beyond counting.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care. In everyday terms, this connects children’s play with developing language, physical skills and understanding of the world. In May 2023, stories and singing encouraged children to join in with words and actions, while conversations gave them opportunities to express themselves.

Outdoor play happened daily in May 2023. Bicycles, scooters and a wooden frame gave children different ways to practise movement and climbing; outings to parks and supermarkets connected nursery experiences with their neighbourhood. Children also explored Eid al-Fitr and heard songs and words from languages used in their friends’ homes, bringing family experiences into shared learning.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that staff worked with external agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. The practical mechanisms included observing children’s learning, spotting emerging gaps and introducing targeted support.

In May 2023, communication with families used different methods to suit parents’ needs, with additional help for those whose children spoke English as an additional language. This supported parents’ understanding of learning and how to continue it at home.

Independence was practised through everyday responsibilities in May 2023. Children managed their belongings and self-care, and chose their portions at mealtimes. These small tasks made preparation for school part of ordinary nursery life.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening and bank-holiday closures. The address is 1 Blake Street, Accrington, BB5 1RE.

In May 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Families considering a place should obtain a current written quotation before agreeing their childcare costs.

• Behaviour support. In May 2023, staff deployment sometimes made challenging behaviour harder to manage, interrupting children’s concentration. During a visit, ask how staff now organise support when children need extra help with behaviour.
• Planning attendance and costs. With an opening window from 7.30am to 6pm, ask which booking patterns would fit your week and how funded hours, meals and consumables would be treated in your quotation.

Little Brook merits consideration by families seeking care for children aged two to five who value practical independence, mathematical learning and outdoor play. Its May 2023 account provides concrete reasons for interest. The decision should also weigh how behaviour support is organised now and whether the attendance arrangement fits the family’s week.