Daisy Chain Day Nursery

In January 2022, Daisy Chain Day Nursery had separate outdoor spaces for babies, younger children and older children, supporting physical play at different stages of development. In January 2022, outdoor play included walker toys, wheelbarrows, scooters and building ramps, with different opportunities suited to different stages of development.

At its 27 January 2022 inspection, Ofsted graded the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children made good progress, while identifying inconsistencies in teaching. The nursery is in Kirkburton, Huddersfield, and accepts children aged 1 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: the day brings together play, communication, physical activity and growing independence.

In January 2022, books supported learning across the ages. Babies handled pages and explored pictures; older children acted out a familiar story and discussed dental vocabulary, including cavities and X-rays. These were concrete opportunities to connect words with actions and ideas.

Outdoor activity also had a practical emphasis that January. Younger children moved materials in wheelbarrows, while older children built structures and ramps. Everyday tasks mattered too: staff demonstrated coat zips so children could try the task themselves. Independence extended to lunch, where children selected vegetables and served their own food.

In January 2022, settling started gradually, giving children time to become familiar with staff and their surroundings before longer separations. Moves between rooms included introductory visits, with timing shaped by development. That approach treated a room change as another adjustment requiring care.

Communication that January used an online system to share learning and care routines with parents. Staff helped children recognise and manage emotions through encouragement and examples of considerate behaviour. They also sought children's agreement before nappy changes or other intimate care, giving children a voice in everyday routines.

Security measures at that time included locked doors and gates, alongside staff safeguarding training and checks on continuing staff suitability.

The address is The Daisy Chain, Queens Way, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, HD8 0SP. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In January 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a current funding arrangement.

• Teaching consistency. In January 2022, questioning sometimes stopped short of extending children's thinking during block play. Ask how practitioners now use questions to develop children's ideas.
• Staff development. The mentoring and supervision arrangements introduced by January 2022 still needed embedding and evaluation. Ask how these arrangements now support consistent practice between rooms.
• Settling and room changes. Gradual introductions and development-led moves were part of care in January 2022. Discuss how these would work for your child's attendance pattern.

Daisy Chain merits consideration for families who value outdoor activity, practical independence and gradual settling. Its January 2022 account gives substance to those priorities, from separate outdoor spaces to introductory room visits. The balance is clear: a Good inspection judgement, with specific work required on questioning and staff mentoring. Families choosing it now should give those teaching questions proper attention alongside the practical fit of weekday opening hours.