Cheeky Cherubs

In September 2023, dough, cooking competitions and conversations about toothbrushing gave Cheeky Cherubs a practical character: children learned by doing. At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective.

Based at Bridge House in Morecambe, the nursery has capacity for 73 children aged 3 to 60 months. The inspection picture centres on independence and everyday skills, with clear improvements required in language teaching and staff coaching.

In September 2023, learning looked different across the age groups. Children in the baby room searched through dried pasta for hidden objects; the toddler room used dough and tools to develop physical skills; pre-school children explored food and discussed cleaning their teeth. These activities connected exploration with useful everyday learning.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2023 activities brought those elements together through play, conversation and practical tasks. Cooking competitions gave children another way to participate, while Remembrance Day introduced a special occasion beyond their usual routines.

Physical activity also had an indoor option. In September 2023, children had daily opportunities for movement outside or indoors in a room set aside for soft play.

At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress and that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities through liaison with other professionals. That support included partnerships with Portage workers and social care professionals.

In September 2023, younger children sought staff when upset, while older children shared jokes with them. Staff also used familiar words from home to help children learning English settle. These were concrete ways of building relationships around individual children.

Communication extended beyond nursery activities. In September 2023, staff shared developmental information and sent resources home for families to use together. Teachers were invited to learn about children's needs ahead of their move to school, helping preparation centre on the child rather than just the next classroom.

The address is Bridge House, 162 West End Road, Morecambe, LA4 4EF. Opening hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year except bank holidays.

In September 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. This is a dated participation statement rather than a promise about a family's current entitlement.

• Language development. In September 2023, vocabulary modelling and questions that stretched children's thinking were inconsistent. Ask how practitioners now develop conversation during play.
• Staff coaching. In September 2023, supervision did not consistently help staff understand how to improve their practice. Ask how coaching now translates into everyday work with children.
• Attendance and costs. With a weekday opening window of 7.30am to 5.30pm, what booking pattern would fit your family, and what would the written quotation include for funded hours, food and consumables?

Cheeky Cherubs suits families seeking weekday care. Its September 2023 inspection picture had a practical emphasis on children's independence, illustrated by sensory exploration, cooking and learning about oral health. Relationships and preparation for school also featured in that dated picture. Language teaching and consistent staff coaching remain the key subjects to explore when judging how well today's provision fits your child.