Alanbrooke Nursery

Army parades and Remembrance Day gave Alanbrooke Nursery's community learning a clear connection to its barracks setting in January 2025. Alongside those experiences, children explored books, sensory materials and outdoor play. The practical emphasis was on becoming more independent.

At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Based at Alanbrooke Barracks in Topcliffe, Thirsk, it has capacity for 95 children, with an age range from birth to five years.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together: play supports skills such as communication, counting and managing everyday tasks. In January 2025, younger children explored sensory materials, while older children investigated countries online and cooked dishes from different parts of the world. Geography had a practical ingredient.

During that month, peg-board play gave children opportunities to count and recognise colours. Looking for longer objects introduced comparisons, while handling sand supported the hand movements needed for later writing. Children could choose their own play from the organised environment.

Outdoor play areas offered climbing and exploration in January 2025, alongside yoga sessions for physical activity. Walks around the nursery, charity coffee mornings and watching army parades connected learning with the surrounding community. Remembrance Day formed part of that work, giving a named occasion to the children's exploration of the wider world.

In January 2025, staff used conversations and repeated words to support communication, including new vocabulary during dinosaur play. Books were part of daily routines, and a book lending scheme encouraged families to continue reading at home. Key-person knowledge informed activities, and parents received daily updates about their child's experiences and development.

Everyday care also became a learning opportunity that month. Children practised putting on shoes and coats, tidying and washing their hands. Staff modelled considerate behaviour and encouraged turn-taking. These were concrete steps towards handling more of the day independently.

At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that assessments helped staff recognise developmental gaps and seek professional support, but identified weaknesses in information-sharing with other settings, gathering children's starting points from parents and planning activities that fully involved younger children. Those findings matter both for children sharing care across settings and for families beginning nursery.

The address is Alanbrook Nursery, Alanbrooke Barracks, Topcliffe, Thirsk, YO7 3EY. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm on Friday. Closures fall at Christmas, Easter and for three weeks during summer, making the shorter Friday and holiday breaks important parts of family planning.

In January 2025, the nursery provided government-funded childcare. Its operating calendar then followed the regiment's block leave, with 45 weeks of opening across the year.

• Starting information. January 2025 findings highlighted weaknesses in gathering what children could already do. At a visit, ask how your child's interests, routines and existing skills will shape their first activities.
• Shared care and younger children. The same findings called for better coordination with other settings and more precise activity planning for younger children. Discuss how these improvements work for your child's attendance arrangement.
• The family calendar. Friday closes at 3pm, and Christmas, Easter and summer closures need to fit your childcare plans.

Alanbrooke Nursery suits families seeking care in the barracks setting whose schedules fit its weekday opening hours and holiday closures. Its January 2025 picture combined community experiences with practical independence and daily parent communication. The strongest decision points are how staff now gather starting information and adapt activities for younger children.