Piglets Day Care

Pumpkins and beans in the garden, balancing beams and a pretend bus give Piglets Day Care a recognisable character: practical learning sits alongside physical play. These were features of daily life in July 2024, rather than promises about today's activities.

At its 12 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good. Based at The Old Piggery in Honley, it has capacity for 23 children and accepts ages from 6 to 60 months. That whole-setting capacity should not be read as the size of an individual group.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the July 2024 examples included sensory exploration, early language and physical activity.

Toddlers handled soil and sand with scooping and pouring tools, while older children explored letter sounds, shapes and colours. Mark-making gave children a way to express ideas and share their work with a key person.

Climbing equipment and balancing beams offered physical challenges in July 2024, with staff adjusting their help to children's abilities. Play dough, lavender and mint brought texture and smell into activities; rolling pins added practice with hand movements.

The Wheels on the Bus linked singing and actions with imaginative play, as children made a pretend bus outdoors. Growing pumpkins and beans in the nursery garden also gave them something tangible to care for and talk about.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children making good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

In July 2024, the key-person arrangement and conversations with parents helped staff understand individual needs. Children turned to practitioners for comfort, while families received updates about learning and practical advice, including help with toileting.

School preparation included practising handwashing and toileting independently. Staff explained nappy-changing steps as they worked, making personal care a conversation rather than simply a task. Children also ate home-cooked meals and healthy snacks at that time.

The address is The Old Piggery, Bradshaw Road, Honley, Holmfirth, HD9 6RJ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week over Christmas and New Year.

In July 2024, session times ran from 7.30am to 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Staff development. In July 2024, supervision needed sharper evaluation of practitioners' work. At a visit, ask how supervision now helps staff improve their day-to-day practice.
• Learning challenge. Questioning sometimes missed opportunities to take children's thinking further in July 2024. This matters for children ready to explore an idea beyond the initial activity.

Piglets will interest families seeking a small overall setting with practical, sensory and physical learning. Its July 2024 strengths included relationships, independence and garden activities, alongside two clear development priorities: staff supervision and more challenging questions. The weekday opening window offers a useful practical starting point for families planning care across the year.