Laugh and Learn Day Nursery

An ocean-themed water tray and photographs of local buildings gave children something concrete to investigate at Laugh and Learn Day Nursery in August 2022. Conversation grew out of play: sharks and stingrays prompted discussion, while construction interests led children to describe their models.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 17 August 2022 and judged safeguarding effective. Based in Heckmondwike, the nursery has capacity for 77 children, with an accepted age range of 0 to 60 months. The strongest themes in its inspection-era daily life were communication, emotional understanding and close contact with families.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday routines into their education. In August 2022, staff organised learning around children's emotional wellbeing and communication, assessing development once children had settled and discussing the next steps with parents.

Practical activities made these priorities tangible. Younger children explored an ocean-themed water tray; older children shaped dough into a letter associated with mummy. Photographs of nearby buildings supported conversations about construction. These examples connected language with something children were already interested in, rather than making conversation a separate task.

The garden brought opportunities to run, balance and climb in August 2022. Staff also used tidying to discuss hazards: children understood that a wet floor could cause a fall and offered to help clear it. Physical activity and everyday responsibility both had a place in the day.

At the August 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff adapted learning effectively for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities through individual plans and collaboration with families and professionals, and that children made good progress from their starting points.

In August 2022, staff helped children recognise their feelings and seek assistance. Hand signals supported communication between children, and a sign of the week was shared with parents so that learning could continue at home. This gave families a specific way to join in.

Regular development updates and newsletters were part of parent communication in August 2022. Home activities included mathematical learning, alongside advice about dental health, mental wellbeing and safer technology use. Staff prepared meals and snacks, and older children practised taking their plates to their seats as preparation for school routines.

The address is 8 - 10 Thomas Street, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire WF16 0NW. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In August 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of funding participation rather than a promise of eligibility or a funded place.

• Extending children's ideas. In August 2022, staff sometimes missed opportunities to develop children's questions and interests, including at mealtimes. Ask how practitioners now use spontaneous conversations to take learning further.
• From settling to next steps. In August 2022, assessment followed children becoming comfortable, and parents helped shape learning plans. Discuss how that sequence would work for your child, including any communication or support needs.

Laugh and Learn suits families who value learning rooted in conversation and practical play. Its August 2022 examples show how building photographs, dough and hand signals could connect children's interests with communication and independence. The improvement priority was equally practical: making fuller use of the learning opportunities children create themselves. The weekday opening window offers a useful basis for families planning care around work.