Giggle and Grow Oldham

A classroom in the playground, a large outdoor area and learning updates through Tapestry give Giggle and Grow Oldham a recognisable shape. This Horsedge Street nursery combines age-based spaces with play that moves between indoors and outdoors. For parents, the appeal is practical: children have different environments to explore, while their learning can travel home through photographs and activity updates.

At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes. That judgement sits alongside two clear improvement priorities: giving children more time to respond during conversations and developing their understanding of online safety.

The nursery has 86 places in total and caters for children from birth to five. Morning, afternoon and full-time attendance patterns make it relevant to families with different working routines.

Rooms and Ages

Six age-specific rooms organise the nursery day. Three ground-floor classrooms serve children aged six months to 34 months, two classrooms accommodate children from 34 months to five years, and a further classroom in the playground serves children aged two to five. These are different spaces within the whole nursery, rather than a statement about the number of children in any group.

Construction play, water and sand activities, early writing, books and pretend domestic play give children several ways to explore an idea. Adult-organised experiences sit alongside activities children choose themselves. The practical value is that a child can follow an interest as well as take part in a planned activity.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, that means learning through play and exploration rather than a day built around formal lessons; the construction materials, books and imaginative play resources give that approach concrete expression.

In November 2022, babies explored coloured rice, listening as it fell and responding vocally to staff. Older children used a toy fire engine to investigate putting out a fire. Both examples show learning rooted in something children can handle and experiment with, with adults helping connect the activity to communication or safety.

There was a limit to the conversational practice observed that month. Some staff moved too quickly from one question to another, leaving children insufficient thinking time. The improvement priority was therefore about the quality and pace of exchanges, rather than simply adding more adult talk.

Outdoor and Community Life

The large outdoor area is used in different weather conditions, so outdoor exploration forms part of the day rather than depending on sunshine. The playground classroom adds another physical setting to the main building's rooms.

In November 2022, visits from police and dentists introduced children to occupations and looking after themselves. Decorating the local Christmas tree also connected nursery experiences with the surrounding community. These were examples from that period, rather than a fixed timetable of visiting professionals or outings.

Relationships and Communication

Tapestry is the app through which parents access their child's online learning journey. Staff use tablets to add photographs, achievements and daily activities, and families can contribute photographs from home. That creates a shared account of learning: parents can see what has caught their child's attention and add experiences that staff would otherwise miss.

In November 2022, visual prompts helped children understand what was happening next in the routine. New children received close comfort from staff as they settled. Parents also received explanations of the curriculum's learning intentions, giving them ideas for continuing activities at home.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described a SENCo working with outside agencies and reviewing children's progress towards appropriately challenging targets. The useful detail for families is the combination of specialist coordination and review, rather than a general promise that every need will be met in the same way.

That month's safety teaching included discussion of bonfire night, while information about online safety was shared with parents. Children's own understanding of online risks needed further development. This is a separate issue from the effective safeguarding judgement and deserves its own attention.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours run from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The usual opening period starts at 8am, with separately charged early attendance from 7.30am. Morning sessions run from 8am to 1pm; afternoons run from 1pm to 6pm. Full-time, daily and half-day patterns are also offered.

Three-hour grant sessions have morning times of 9.15am to 12.15pm and afternoon times of 12.30pm to 3.30pm. These shorter sessions are a different attendance option from the longer morning and afternoon patterns.

Fees are payable in advance, either weekly or monthly, with standing orders preferred. Charging covers 51 weeks, including bank holidays, and there is a one-week Christmas closure. Prices are reviewed each April; current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Getting There

The address is St Marys House, Horsedge Street, Oldham, OL1 3XE, close to the town centre. A car park sits behind the building. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by calling 0161 628 4140.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds, with the 15-hour educational entitlement described over 38 weeks. The nursery also offers 30 funded hours for eligible working parents with children from nine months; entitlement remains subject to eligibility.

Breakfast, snacks, lunch and light tea are charged separately, including when children attend through the 15- or 30-hour funded entitlement; families may bring their own snacks or packed lunch instead. Food is cooked on site each day, and the nursery caters for vegetarian and dairy-free diets and food allergies.

The sessions and fees page sets out the attendance patterns and charge structure. Funded hours and food costs therefore need to be considered separately when assessing the overall arrangement.

• Conversation and thinking time. The November 2022 improvement priority concerned staff asking questions too rapidly. On a visit, ask how practitioners now give children time to develop and express an answer.
• Online safety. In November 2022, safety information reached parents, but children's own understanding needed more attention. Ask what age-appropriate activities now address this.
• Your child's room. The nursery has ground-floor classrooms and a classroom in the playground. Ask to see the space your child would use and discuss how settling and room changes are handled.
• Attendance and food costs. Early attendance and food carry separate charges, including food during funded hours. A written quotation should distinguish the chosen session pattern, funded entitlement and food arrangements.

Giggle and Grow Oldham suits families comparing morning or afternoon sessions with full-time attendance, and those who value outdoor play and an accessible account of learning through Tapestry. Its physical layout offers more than one setting for exploration, while the November 2022 judgement gives a positive, dated assessment of quality.

The decision points are specific: how staff support unhurried conversation, how online safety is taught and how the selected attendance pattern fits alongside food charges. Those questions give a visit a useful purpose.