Swan Meadow Uppermill Private Day Nursery

Coloured scarves for babies, experiments with sound and visits to the local library give Swan Meadow Uppermill Private Day Nursery a recognisable character. In June 2026, these experiences connected conversation, practical exploration and growing independence.

At its 3 June 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard across achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership, with safeguarding standards met. The nursery has capacity for 40 children; children attending in June 2026 were aged 0 to 3.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning and care: play, conversation and everyday tasks help children develop language, movement and independence.

In June 2026, babies explored coloured rice while staff described its movement, and joined songs using coloured scarves. Older children shaped dough and compared shapes, bringing hand control and early mathematics into the same activity. An experiment with coloured water introduced pipettes, followed by listening to the different notes made by tapping jars. There was something concrete to discuss.

Outdoors that June, stepping stones offered balance practice, while children worked together to send balls through a pipe. Local outings included choosing library books, buying cooking ingredients at shops and visiting the police station and post office. A Remembrance Day activity involved making a wreath and taking it to the war memorial, connecting an event with a place in the community.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that personalised learning, early identification of additional needs and work with specialists supported children with SEND, while care routines responded to individual needs. Practical adaptations included resources to help children participate at mealtimes.

During June 2026, staff used words from children's home languages to help them settle, and worked with speech and language therapists and the area SEND coordinator. Books and toys helped children talk about feelings. Babies received close attention during sleep, while older children practised serving food and pouring drinks.

Meals were cooked on site in June 2026, with planning involving leaders and the cook. Conversations about vegetables and drinking water made lunchtime another opportunity to learn.

Partnership with parents began with identifying children's needs, and transition planning supported their next move, including school. These June 2026 practices made care and learning closely connected.

The address is Swan Meadow Uppermill Nursery, The Park, High Street, Uppermill, OL3 6AP. Its 40 places are whole-setting capacity, rather than a room size or a measure of daily attendance.

• Your child's attendance pattern. What sessions and settling arrangements would suit your child and your working week? Discuss these together when planning a visit.
• Support that changes outcomes. The June 2026 next steps called for a greater impact for disadvantaged children, children with SEND and those facing other barriers. Families needing additional support should make their child's priorities central to the visit discussion.

Swan Meadow suits families who value learning through practical activity and connections with the surrounding community. The June 2026 picture combines language-rich baby activities, everyday independence and purposeful local outings. Strong standard judgements across every assessed area give that picture weight; the next step is to deepen the impact for children facing additional barriers.