Sunny Smiles Day Nursery

Carrot digging, teapot water play and tracks built from large blocks give Sunny Smiles Day Nursery a practical, hands-on character in its July 2024 account. Based in Hollinwood, Oldham, it has capacity for 75 children, from birth to five years.

At its 30 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, found safeguarding effective and identified effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The main improvement required was more consistent curriculum delivery, including during holiday periods.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the July 2024 examples included conversation, counting, physical play and growing independence. Children's interests helped shape activities. Digging for carrots introduced vocabulary about gardening, giving new words a practical context.

In July 2024, younger children encountered counting through songs, while older children explored numbers, shapes and differences in length. Water play involved filling and emptying teapots of different sizes. Large blocks became a track that children planned together, with encouragement from friends as they attempted to cross it. These activities brought problem-solving into play.

Learning about Eid helped children explore differences in belief. However, learning aims sometimes became less demanding during holidays and did not fit individual children closely enough. Some learning was interrupted, and group activities sometimes lost children's attention. Consistency mattered as much as the choice of activity.

In July 2024, babies received physical comfort, including being rocked to sleep, and turned to staff when they needed reassurance. Staff gathered information from parents to shape activities around their children. Parents knew about daily learning and received suggestions, including stories to read together, so experiences could continue at home.

Work with parents and other professionals included assessing children's development and making referrals when gaps emerged. Staff also received training and supervision to support their work.

Everyday independence had a clear place in July 2024: children practised managing coats, shoes and toileting, serving food and pouring drinks. They waited for a turn to choose songs and comforted upset friends. Handwashing and discussions about sun cream and hats connected self-care with daily routines and preparation for school.

The address is 45 Hawthorn Road, Oldham, OL8 3QF. Opening hours are 7.15am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In July 2024, sessions ran from 7.15am to 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

• Holiday learning. In July 2024, learning aims sometimes became less ambitious during holidays. Ask how activities now build on each child's learning throughout the year.
• Group participation. Some organised activities lost children's attention in July 2024. A visit can explore how staff adapt an activity when children disengage.
• Attendance and costs. With an opening window of 7.15am to 6pm, ask which booking pattern fits your week and request a written quotation covering funded hours, food and consumables.

Sunny Smiles suits families seeking care across the working week, with opening hours extending from early morning into the evening. Its July 2024 account gives concrete examples of practical learning, comfort for babies and children's growing independence. The decision point is curriculum consistency: engaging materials need equally purposeful delivery, including during holidays and group activities.