Holyrood Nursery Shaw

A vegetable patch, weekly cooking with the nursery chef and separate outdoor spaces for each room give Holyrood Nursery Shaw a practical, hands-on character. Children can grow ingredients, help prepare food and explore outside in spaces arranged for their stage of development.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and highlighted excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those learning English as an additional language. That judgement needs to be read alongside later regulatory action. In August 2026, Ofsted identified unmet requirements and issued actions concerning recruitment disclosures and the recording and accessibility of complaints, with a deadline of 1 September 2026.

The nursery accepts children from 3 months to 5 years and has capacity for 83 children in total. Its Shaw address is 35 Milnrow Road, Oldham, OL2 8AP. Full-time, part-time and flexible attendance make it relevant to families with different childcare needs, although the later compliance action is a significant consideration before choosing it.

Rooms and Ages

Baby Room (0-2 years) emphasises sensory exploration, individual attention and gentle routines, giving the youngest children opportunities to investigate their surroundings at their own pace. Toddler Room (2-3 years) brings together messy activities, movement and early language, with growing independence threaded through play. Pre-School Room (3-5 years) combines phonics and number work with creative activities and problem-solving as children prepare for school.

Each of the four rooms has its own outside area, arranged for its age group. Mud kitchens, water play and outdoor classrooms give children opportunities to investigate materials, mix things and practise physical skills.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, that means learning through practical play, conversation, movement and everyday routines. Mathematics is brought into real-life activities, while listening and speaking work helps children express thoughts and feelings. The framework is the foundation, rather than an extra programme unique to Shaw.

STEM Activities add building and problem-solving using science, technology, engineering and maths. Schematic Play gives children scope to follow their interests through exploratory play. These approaches make room for children to investigate how things work, rather than simply complete an adult's chosen task. Birth to 5 Matters Learning and Development Framework also forms part of the learning approach.

Group-wide Heuristic Play gives children aged 1–2 objects and containers to investigate, letting them direct their own exploration. The Daily Mile, also group-wide, adds outdoor physical activity intended to increase daily movement.

In March 2024, babies used low steps and investigated their reflections, toddlers made paper flowers, and preschool children handled beads with pegs. The examples show how activities differed by developmental stage, from large movements to careful hand control. Stories also gave children opportunities to practise speaking following staff training in communication and language.

Outdoor and Community Life

The vegetable patch connects gardening with the nursery's food activities. Cooking and Baking Activities are weekly sessions with the chef, giving children another way to explore ingredients and help make food. Growing something and then working with food offer different points of contact with the same everyday subject.

Regular neighbourhood walks extend experiences beyond the gardens, including outings for younger children in double buggies. Families provide clothing suitable for different weather. Outdoor time therefore brings a practical packing requirement as well as opportunities for exploration.

Nursery Library is a group-wide mini-library service that encourages children to share stories with their families; regular library visits add a community connection. In March 2024, children talked about books read at home and acted out characters from stories. Reading was something to discuss and play with, as well as listen to.

Relationships and Communication

At least three free settling sessions introduce children gradually to practitioners, other children and their surroundings. Further sessions are agreed according to the child's needs, allowing more time to build familiarity.

A child's key person is a contact for conversations about individual needs, and parents can request a meeting as well as attend parent evenings. Monthly newsletters cover nursery life. The group-wide ParentZone app adds photographs, activity notes, meal updates and progress information, with two-way messaging so families can share information as well as receive it.

This combination has practical value: the app provides a picture of the day, while a conversation can address a concern or explain a change at home. Parents do not have to wait for the next organised evening to arrange a meeting about their child.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Support for SEND involves working with families, outside agencies and the local authority. In March 2024, the SEND coordinator tracked intervention plans closely. Children also practised talking about emotions, and staff helped them understand expectations for behaviour. These are specific mechanisms and observations, rather than a promise that one arrangement will suit every child.

The nursery has a secure entry system and uses parental authorisation and a password for unfamiliar collectors. Those are practical procedures families need to follow. The August 2026 recruitment and complaints actions remain material to a decision about care; the latest published position is that actions were issued for completion by 1 September 2026.

Meals are cooked by the nursery's own chef, using a three-week menu rotation, and dietary provision includes vegetarian, vegan and different milk options. Weekly cooking also lets children work alongside the chef, making food preparation part of their experience rather than something happening entirely out of sight.

Preparation for school includes everyday independence. In March 2024, children practised putting on coats and shoes, tidying toys and clearing plates. An annual group-wide Graduations ceremony marks the move to primary school with caps and gowns; the practical preparation lies in the self-care children rehearse beforehand.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery opens 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, year-round except bank holidays. Full-time, part-time and flexible sessions are offered within that opening window.

Reducing sessions requires a month's written notice. This matters when work arrangements change: a smaller booking needs planning ahead, while extra sessions depend on availability. Enquiries can be made through the nursery's contact form or by telephone on 01706 847 711.

Getting There

The nursery is on Milnrow Road in Shaw, with on-site parking. For families transporting babies or several children, parking at the setting is a useful practical feature.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government-funded childcare is offered, including funding for children from 9 months to 5 years. Private childcare is also offered. Families should obtain a current written quotation for their chosen pattern, keeping the funded entitlement and any additional paid attendance separate.

The childcare fee includes the children's menu, nappies, wipes and a selection of milk, plus settling sessions, learning journals, the interactive app, newsletters and parent evenings.

• August 2026 compliance actions. The latest published position required recruitment disclosures and accessible complaint records to be addressed by 1 September 2026. Ask the nursery for the outcome and what procedures now operate before deciding on care.
• Older children's routines. In March 2024, some children waited too long after lunch with little purposeful activity, and staff supervision needed a clearer emphasis on improving practice. On a visit, explore how the post-lunch period now works and how practitioners receive coaching.
• Flexible attendance and funding. Full-time, part-time and flexible childcare are offered, with funded childcare from 9 months. Ask for one written breakdown of the proposed attendance pattern, its funded hours and any charges attached to those hours.
• Outdoor clothing and food needs. Regular walks and separate room gardens make weather-appropriate clothing part of the routine. Families managing allergies should discuss current food preparation and their child's requirements directly with the team.

Holyrood Nursery Shaw suits families considering full-time attendance or a part-time, flexible pattern who value practical experiences: gardening, weekly cooking and outdoor space connected to each room. Gradual settling and several channels of parent communication add useful structure around the child's day.

The August 2026 compliance actions carry substantial weight in the decision. Families need to weigh the practical daily offer alongside the outcome of the recruitment and complaints actions.