The Forest Tree Nursery

In April 2026, communication, outdoor exploration and support for individual needs gave The Forest Tree Nursery its clearest character. On Brook Street in Oldham, it has capacity for 60 children. In April 2026, children learnt through stories, conversation and everyday tasks that developed independence.

At its 30 April 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion to be Strong standard, the other assessed areas to be Expected standard, and safeguarding standards to be met. The balance matters: inclusion was the strongest area, while consistency in teaching and daily routines still needed work.

In April 2026, stories helped children extend their vocabulary, while older children explored letters in familiar names and practised writing their own. The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the April account illustrates these through language, movement and growing independence.

Outdoor learning had a daily place in April 2026. Children planted coriander seeds after crushing them, connecting an activity with their interest in growing things at home. Opportunities to crawl, climb and run added physical challenge. Babies pulled themselves up on furniture and equipment and began taking steps.

The Raising Early Achievement in Literacy project formed part of staff training in April 2026, alongside work on communication development. Assessment helped practitioners decide what children needed to learn next. The curriculum had recently been redesigned around the children and community, making its use across the whole day an important next step.

At the April 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made strong progress, supported by early identification, individual plans and collaboration with outside agencies. For families needing additional support, that combination connects recognition of a difficulty with practical intervention.

In April 2026, parents could share information through an open-door approach, and links with the local authority and family hubs supported understanding of child development. Small-group activities encouraged children to talk positively about themselves and others; practitioners also helped them name their feelings.

Healthy meals and encouragement to try unfamiliar foods featured in April 2026. Safer-sleep procedures were maintained, and visual reminders in policies helped staff retain essential information. A no-phone policy applied during arrivals, keeping that interaction centred on the child.

The address is Brook Street, Oldham, OL9 0HW. In April 2026, opening hours were 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and children attending were aged 0 to 5. These are dated operating details, separate from the nursery's current capacity of 60 places.

Preparation for the next stage included serving food, making snacks and learning to follow routines in April 2026. These everyday tasks gave older children opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

• Mealtime routines. In April 2026, some children found sustained sitting and changes between activities difficult after routines had been revised. On a visit, ask how mealtimes now support children who need extra help with transitions.
• Consistency across staff. The April 2026 next steps called for more effective teaching throughout the team, with some practitioners new to their roles. Ask how staff support and training now translate into a consistent day for children.

This nursery merits consideration for families who value language development, outdoor activity and practical support for additional needs. Its April 2026 picture combines a strong inclusion judgement with concrete examples of individual planning and family collaboration. The deciding issue is how successfully teaching and routines have become consistent across the day and the team.