Earby Springfield Nursery and Extended Childcare Services

In September 2024, books, fruit preparation and balancing beams gave Earby Springfield a practical early-years character. At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised personalised learning and timely additional support, while requiring closer oversight of staff responsibilities.

The nursery has 44 places for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its strongest inspection-era detail is the connection between everyday tasks and learning: preparing a snack becomes practice in independence, while discussing unfamiliar vegetables builds vocabulary.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2024 examples included stories, conversation, practical tasks and physical play, giving children different ways to practise their skills.

In September 2024, books prompted discussions about emotions and unfamiliar ideas. Children talked about illustrations and listened to stories they recognised. Staff introduced words such as avocados and courgettes during activities and encouraged quieter children to contribute to group conversations. Language learning reached beyond story time.

Climbing equipment and balancing beams were also part of the September 2024 provision. Staff adjusted their help to children's abilities as they practised climbing, jumping and balance. Children could explore physical challenges with support suited to them, rather than receiving the same help regardless of confidence.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff used observations and knowledge from parents to set individual learning targets, worked with external services to arrange additional help and kept families informed through informal updates and formal progress reporting.

In September 2024, children practised washing their hands, feeding themselves and cutting fruit for snacks. Staff showed them how to handle equipment safely and encouraged persistence when a task became difficult. These small routines gave children opportunities to do more for themselves.

Staff oversight was the qualification to this positive picture. In September 2024, checks on practitioners' understanding of their responsibilities were inconsistent, leaving some differences in what staff understood. Stronger monitoring and supervision was the improvement required.

The address is Earby Springfield Primary School, Bailey Street, Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancashire, BB18 6SJ. The nursery operates during term time and closes for school holidays, an important constraint for families needing childcare throughout the year.

In September 2024, nursery sessions ran from 9am to 3.30pm, and funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children. These are dated arrangements, rather than a promise of today's booking terms.

• Staff supervision. September 2024 brought a requirement for more consistent checks on staff responsibilities. Ask how monitoring and mentoring now work in practice.
• Term-time planning. School holidays are closure periods. How would the current session choices and funded-hours arrangements fit your family's term-time routine?

Earby Springfield suits families seeking term-time childcare who value the practical independence and individual learning seen at its September 2024 inspection. Its September 2024 strengths were concrete: conversations around books, children preparing fruit and physical challenges using balancing equipment. The staff-supervision improvement deserves attention alongside those strengths when weighing the nursery's fit.