Limehurst Little Learners

A pretend shop, storytelling and outdoor bicycles gave Limehurst Little Learners a practical, play-led character in May 2024. Children explored, built and played together, with familiar adults joining their activities. The setting has capacity for 24 children at Limehurst Tenants Hall in Oldham.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found that children made good progress and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged 2 to 4. The strongest thread was the relationship between children and staff: children sought comfort from adults and confidently invited them into their play.

In May 2024, learning followed children's interests. Younger children experimented with stamps and paint; older children connected construction with stories by making towers and tracks. These were opportunities to express ideas through both pictures and building.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together: here, the May 2024 examples included language through stories, mathematics through weighing and counting, and independence through everyday routines. Storytelling held children's attention, while independent browsing gave them time to explore books for themselves.

A role-play shop encouraged children to invent purchases and prepare pretend meals. Adults extended the play with questions that encouraged thinking. Counting counters and comparing weight introduced mathematical ideas through objects children could handle; filling containers with sand brought size and quantity into play.

Outdoor bicycles supported larger movements. Drawing and practising names exercised smaller hand movements. Both kinds of activity contributed to preparation for later learning.

In May 2024, staff helped children manage difficult feelings and practise sharing and turn-taking. Handwashing, wiping noses, serving snacks and pouring drinks gave children manageable responsibilities. Adults supervised snack time and encouraged children who were reluctant to eat.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that SEND training had helped the manager target support, including speech and language, but identified occasions when staff missed individual children's needs. Regular observations and supervision were in place, yet these had not fully corrected inconsistencies in practice. Targeted support for individual practitioners was an improvement priority.

Parents received daily feedback and updates on their children's development in May 2024. These exchanges gave families a regular connection with nursery life. Independence in self-care was also part of preparation for moving on to school.

Limehurst Little Learners is based at Limehurst Tenants Hall, Blackthorn Rd, Oldham, OL8 3PF.

In May 2024, attendance ran Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions from 9am to 3pm. That pattern placed nursery attendance within the daytime working week and school-term calendar.

• Purpose behind activities. The May 2024 improvement priorities included making staff clearer about the knowledge and skills activities should develop. Interesting play needs a precise learning purpose.
• Consistency of attention. In May 2024, individual needs sometimes went unnoticed, despite regular staff supervision. This is a material consideration alongside the positive relationships children formed.
• Planning attendance. The May 2024 arrangement was term-time weekday sessions from 9am to 3pm. At a visit, ask whether that pattern still applies and fits your family's childcare needs.

Limehurst Little Learners suits families drawn to learning through practical play, storytelling and growing independence. Its May 2024 picture combined close relationships with concrete opportunities to build, count, imagine and move. Families considering term-time daytime attendance should weigh those strengths alongside the priorities for sharper learning intentions and more consistent attention to individual needs.