Precious Kids Day Nursery

A Library & Sensory Room for quieter moments and separate Soft Play Area and Messy Play Area give Precious Kids Day Nursery a recognisable shape: a dedicated reading space sits alongside two outdoor zones supporting physical development and creative expression. This Moston setting has capacity for 80 children, with a current age range of 3 to 60 months. Its rooms separate babies, toddlers and preschool children rather than treating early childhood as one stage.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found that children made good progress and judged safeguarding effective. The useful detail sits beneath that judgement: borrowing books, learning to manage everyday routines and tackling physical challenges were all part of children's experience. There were also clear priorities for improvement, involving younger children's conversations and staff workload.

For parents, the strongest practical feature is the gradual settling process. It starts with a parent alongside the child and builds towards a longer stay, with flexibility for children who need more time.

Rooms and Ages

Incy Wincy Room serves the youngest stage, with a room age band of 0 to 2 years and an emphasis on relationships and secure attachment. Caterpillar Room, for ages 2 to 3, concentrates on growing vocabulary, listening and attention. Butterfly Room takes children aged 3 to 5, combining practical and imaginative activities with independence and communication as preparation for school.

These room bands describe the organisation of care; the nursery's current accepted age range starts at 3 months. The different emphases give parents something concrete to discuss when considering a move between rooms: relationships first, then increasingly sustained communication and independence.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for children's learning, development and care, linking play with communication, physical development and everyday skills. Daily group activities sit alongside resources children can choose and return to. That combination allows an introduced activity to become something a child practises again, rather than a single encounter directed entirely by an adult.

Library & Sensory Room combines books with space for calm and relaxation, and welcomes reading together with parents. In May 2024, children could also borrow nursery books to read at home. This gave reading a practical connection between the nursery day and family life, rather than confining it to a group story session.

Language teaching needs a balanced reading. In May 2024, staff used rhymes, songs, repeated vocabulary and spoken descriptions during play. However, younger children encountered too many questions with short answers and had insufficient space to develop a conversation. Hearing language and having time to use it are different experiences; the latter was an improvement priority.

Outdoor and Community Life

Soft Play Area and Messy Play Area are two outdoor spaces, each supporting physical development and creative expression. The grounds also include an enclosed garden with synthetic grass. These physical arrangements make outdoor activity a substantial part of the setting rather than an occasional change of scene.

In May 2024, children pursued bubbles, rode bicycles and tackled obstacles, with adults supervising their efforts on a climbing frame. They also learnt about caring for their surroundings through recycling. The emphasis was on doing things themselves, with adult support close enough to help them attempt a challenge.

Relationships and Communication

Settling follows a staged guide: an hour together in the room, another hour with the parent waiting in reception, a two-hour stay apart and then a half-day including lunch. The sequence is flexible, and parents can be called back if their child struggles. Settling sessions carry no charge.

A key person forms part of this introduction, helping the child become familiar with an adult as well as the room and other children. The first day's update includes a progress account and a photograph. Parents are told if settling has been difficult, allowing the next steps to be planned together rather than assuming the first separation has settled the matter.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective individual support, with an experienced special educational needs coordinator helping staff understand their needs. For a family needing additional support, the practical question is how that coordination translates into their child's daily care.

In May 2024, cards explaining the current activity and what would follow helped children understand routines. Staff also encouraged children to put toys away and care for their space. These were concrete ways to make expectations understandable and involve children in the running of their day.

Meals are prepared daily, with a two-week menu, cooked lunch, a lighter later meal and snacks; the nursery caters for reasonable dietary requests. Designated dining rooms provide space for eating, and staff join children where possible.

Collection arrangements require an adult approved by parents and a password. Safety gates, window guards and CCTV are additional practical measures, rather than substitutes for attentive care. In May 2024, staff had regular training and observations, but leaders needed to give workload greater attention during busy periods.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 322 Moston Lane, Manchester, M40 9WB. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with extended hours for earlier drop-off or later collection if needed. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

Enquiries can be made through the contact form, by email at info@preciouskidsnursery.co.uk or by telephone on 0161 637 2660. Registration involves completing and returning a form. The settling guide recommends keeping time free in the days or week before childcare begins, because the introduction takes place before the start date.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education is offered for children aged two, three and four. There is also a 30-hour childcare offer for working families with children. These are offers of funded provision, rather than a guarantee that an individual family qualifies.

In May 2024, school preparation included developing independence and sharing information with teachers. That is useful transition work: the emphasis was on helping children cope with their next stage, rather than presenting a relationship with a named school as an admissions advantage.

• Younger children's conversations. In May 2024, children needed more opportunities to develop exchanges rather than answer closed questions. On a tour, ask how Caterpillar Room now makes time for children to respond and sustain a conversation.
• Busy-period staffing support. The May 2024 improvement priorities included reducing workload pressure. Ask how staff are supported when care routines and other demands coincide.
• Time for settling. The introduction builds from short visits towards a half-day, with parents remaining involved at the early stages. Allow time before the childcare start date for this flexible process.
• Funding and the whole bill. Funded provision includes childcare for working families and early education for children aged two, three and four. Before committing, ask for a written quotation setting out the attendance pattern, funded-hours arrangement, meals and non-food consumables.

Precious Kids Day Nursery suits families seeking care across the year, a gradual introduction to separation and rooms with different developmental emphases. The Library & Sensory Room and the two outdoor areas give the day useful variety, while the settling guide gives parents a concrete starting point.

The Good judgement from May 2024 is encouraging, but the language and workload priorities deserve specific discussion. For parents who value reading together, outdoor activity and an introduction that can flex around their child, this is a setting with clear practical attractions.