The Manor House Nursery

In December 2022, ice experiments in a large garden gave The Manor House Nursery a memorable practical character. In December 2022, children worked together to investigate frozen objects, trying different tools and celebrating their discoveries. Physical exploration gave them something concrete to think about and discuss.

At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 70 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months, at Church Street in Eckington.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together: children build language, physical skills and independence through play and everyday routines.

In December 2022, younger children practised conversation through responsive exchanges with staff, while colour-finding activities encouraged children to remember instructions and learn new words. Musical instruments offered another way to experiment and express themselves.

Outdoors that December, scooters, stepping stones and a play house supported movement and imaginative play. Community experiences included singing with care-home residents and exploring local woods, shops and the library. These extended children's experiences beyond the nursery, connecting activities with people and places nearby.

In December 2022, children formed affectionate bonds with their key person, including seeking comfort on a practitioner's lap during songs. Staff gathered information from families about children's starting points and shared learning activities with parents. Advice about toilet training helped home and nursery work towards the same everyday goals.

Self-care was practised in small steps that December: babies began feeding themselves, older children served food, and children tackled coats and boots. Handwashing and discussions about healthy food also formed part of daily life.

Management and staffing changes had put pressure on the team before December 2022; individual staff meetings provided support. Assessment nevertheless needed greater precision to spot learning gaps promptly, and inconsistent messages about behaviour boundaries sometimes led children to test them. These are useful areas to explore alongside the warmer account of relationships.

The address is 62 Church Street, Eckington, Sheffield, S21 4BH. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In December 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That describes participation at the time of the inspection rather than establishing today's funding arrangements.

• Assessment and boundaries. December 2022 brought improvement priorities around identifying learning gaps and giving consistent behaviour messages. Ask how staff now track development and agree expectations across daily routines.
• Your child's attendance plan. The year-round opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays. At a visit, ask which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangements fit your child, and request a written quotation covering food and consumables.

The Manor House Nursery suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare who value practical play, outdoor movement and relationships with a key person. Its December 2022 experiences give substance to that appeal: ice investigations, community singing and growing independence in everyday tasks. The assessment and behaviour priorities deserve equal weight when judging how well the setting fits an individual child.