Diddy Daycare Croxteth

Paint explored through fingers, dough shaped into bumblebees and a pretend dental surgery give Diddy Daycare Croxteth a recognisable character. These were examples of children's learning in April 2022, rather than activities confined to adult demonstrations. At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall.

Based at The Creative Business Academy in Liverpool, L11 0AY, the nursery has capacity for 80 children aged 0 to 60 months. Its scale is a whole-setting figure, not the size of an individual group.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2022 examples show how play can bring those elements together: toddlers explored paint through touch and conversation, while preschool children used pretend dentistry to explain tooth care.

In April 2022, practitioners planned around children's interests and their next learning steps. An interest in bumblebees became dough modelling, combining conversation about bees with practice using hands and fingers. Children could also select toys themselves, giving them opportunities to direct their play.

Outside, the April 2022 garden activities involved climbing and balancing. This added physical challenge to the day, alongside discussion about exercise and nutritious food.

At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported, with a special educational needs coordinator monitoring progress and staff involving other professionals where appropriate.

In April 2022, babies' routines followed familiar patterns from home, and comfort objects helped them settle emotionally. Key persons developed relationships with babies; staff talked and sang during nappy changes, making routine care an opportunity for interaction.

Communication with families included regular progress updates in April 2022. Staff also discussed feelings with children and encouraged them to work through small disagreements. Care and learning were closely connected in these everyday exchanges.

The address is The Creative Business Academy, Liverpool, L11 0AY. Opening hours are 7.30am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Those hours give families a clear operating window.

In April 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. This is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Space to think. In April 2022, some practitioners intervened sooner than children needed and missed opportunities to stretch their thinking. Giving children time to attempt tasks independently was the improvement priority.
• Baby routines. Home routines and comfort objects were part of care in April 2022. During a visit, ask how settling would accommodate your baby's present routines.
• Holiday cover. Bank holidays and a week at Christmas fall outside the opening calendar. Families needing continuous cover should account for those breaks.

For families seeking weekday care across the year, Diddy Daycare Croxteth offers a substantial opening window. Its April 2022 examples connect imaginative play, conversation and physical activity, with familiar routines for babies. The key consideration from that inspection is the balance between helpful adult support and letting children work things out themselves.