Manor House Childcare

Chalk outlines, counting fingers and balancing on crates give Manor House Childcare's March 2022 account a practical, playful character. Children used outdoor challenges to exercise both their bodies and their thinking. Conversation mattered too, with staff joining play and helping children develop their vocabulary.

At its 16 March 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated Manor House Childcare Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. The nursery is at 2a New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 3PH, and has 50 places in total. Children attending in March 2022 were aged 1 to 4; that age range belongs to the visit rather than establishing today's intake.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: play, language and everyday routines all contribute to learning. In March 2022, staff extended conversations by demonstrating words, repeating them and listening to children's answers. Older children took on imaginary characters with friends, giving their speaking skills a purpose within play.

Outdoor activity offered different challenges. In March 2022, toddlers had space to practise walking, while older children balanced on beams and crates and counted as they chalked around fingers. Planting flowers and vegetables brought another hands-on experience. These examples connect movement, number and practical exploration rather than keeping learning at a table.

Festivals from different cultures also featured in March 2022. The associated improvement priority was to deepen children's understanding of what people, families and communities share and how they differ.

In March 2022, key people used their knowledge of individual children to support them through familiar routines. Children sought staff out for stories and play, and practised sharing and waiting their turn. Staff also adjusted planning to address emotional and social needs associated with the pandemic.

Parents contributed news of achievements at home in March 2022, helping staff understand children's experiences beyond nursery. At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted asked for clearer information about children's next learning steps so parents could support learning at home, and stronger teaching about similarities and differences between people and communities. Those are useful tests of how nursery learning connects with family life.

In March 2022, staff provided home-cooked meals and catered for individual dietary requirements and allergies. Serving their own food and brushing their teeth gave children opportunities to practise independence and healthy habits.

In March 2022, opening hours ran from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays. The nursery operated throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and a week over Christmas; these are historical operating arrangements.

Management practice in March 2022 included checking daily risk assessments, observing staff and offering coaching. Staff deployment supported supervision during activities, linking the organisation of the day with children's opportunities to play and learn.

• Learning updates. In March 2022, some parents lacked a clear understanding of their child's learning needs. Specific next steps matter if families want to extend activities at home.
• Understanding others. March 2022 festival activities needed more consistent teaching about similarities and differences. Celebrations alone do not explain what children understand about other families.
• Today's attendance arrangements. The March 2022 age range and opening hours describe that period. Which ages and attendance patterns can the nursery accommodate now?

Manor House Childcare suits parents who value learning through conversation, physical exploration and everyday independence, judging by its March 2022 practice. The strongest examples are concrete: imaginative play, outdoor balancing and children serving food themselves. Clearer learning updates and deeper work on understanding others remain the decision points from that dated assessment.