The Greenhouse Project

In January 2023, caring for a giant African snail and learning about safety in a woodland area gave The Greenhouse Project's practical learning a memorable character. At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised successful learning and development for children with SEND.

Based at Tiber Street Site, Lodge Lane, Liverpool, L8 0TP, the setting has 28 places in total. Its inspection-time offer centred on term-time sessional care. The strongest detail is how everyday experiences became opportunities to learn: caring for creatures, sharing stories and experimenting outdoors.

In January 2023, children cared for the giant African snail and learnt to protect snails in the garden. These were practical encounters with living things, giving children a reason to handle their surroundings carefully. In the woodland area, learning about safety included recognising the hazards of spiky brambles.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the January 2023 examples included counting through pretend play and exploring words while combining coloured water. Stories brought another kind of participation. Staff paused during reading, encouraging children to remember earlier details and anticipate what could happen next.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified two priorities: using assessment more effectively to extend existing knowledge, and choosing language more accurately to develop vocabulary. Those qualifications matter alongside the engaging activities. Enjoyment alone does not tell parents whether teaching is taking a child's understanding further.

In January 2023, the SENCo drew on advice from specialists, including educational psychologists, to adjust support. Children learning English practised useful words for personal care, helping them express everyday needs. Staff also guided children towards independence and used pretend sneezing into elbows to teach hygiene.

Communication extended beyond the nursery day. In January 2023, parents received information about learning that helped them continue it at home. Staff contacted families when children were absent to establish their welfare, and the manager helped families access local food banks. These examples connect care for children with practical support for their households.

The address is Tiber Street Site, Lodge Lane, Liverpool, L8 0TP. In January 2023, sessional provision served children aged two, three and four, while the children attending at the inspection were aged two to three.

At that time, nursery hours were 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated arrangements, rather than a statement of today's attendance offer.

• Depth of learning. The January 2023 improvement priority concerned using assessment to extend what children already knew. This is an important consideration for families whose child needs more challenge.
• Language development. More precise vocabulary was another January 2023 priority, especially relevant to the setting's work with children learning English.
• Sessional attendance. The January 2023 model divided nursery care between two daytime windows during term time. What attendance patterns and funded arrangements would apply to your child now?

The Greenhouse Project's January 2023 picture suits families drawn to practical learning, storytelling and support that reaches into home life. Its attendance model then served both morning and afternoon routines. The Good judgement gives useful context, balanced by clear priorities around assessment and vocabulary.