Newtown Nursery School 0-2's

In July 2022, woodland climbing, books within children's reach and early conversations shaped daily life at Newtown Nursery School 0-2's. This Colne setting has capacity for 15 children. At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with emerging special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support.

The children attending in July 2022 were aged 0 to 2. That dated picture centres on early independence, relationships with adults and opportunities to explore outdoors.

In July 2022, children could choose books throughout the provision and bring them to adults to share. Animal sounds encouraged conversation, while staff added words to children's play and used signing to help them communicate. These were small, practical opportunities to connect language with something a child already enjoyed.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2022 examples included taking turns with a ball and pipe, helping prepare snacks and pouring drinks: play and everyday routines gave children opportunities to practise communication, coordination and independence.

Outdoors in July 2022, the woodland area offered hills and steps for climbing and balancing. Children pushed leaf-filled trolleys over grass, and the mud kitchen prompted pretend play and conversation. Physical exploration and language could develop together.

In July 2022, settling included home visits and arrangements adapted to each child. Before moving rooms, children spent time in their next room with their key person, giving them a familiar adult while they began forming new relationships.

Staff also exchanged developmental milestones with parents and discussed weaning and potty training in July 2022. Safeguarding information shared with families included safer sleep and weaning. That made communication relevant to care at home as well as the nursery day.

The address is Newtown Nursery School, West Street, Colne, BB8 0HP. Its total capacity of 15 places describes the whole setting, rather than the size of an individual room or group.

• Group activities. In July 2022, several children gathering around one adult sometimes reduced engagement and opportunities to extend learning. Improving how these activities were organised was the required next step; this matters for children who need adult help to sustain their play.
• Settling arrangements. Home visits and introductions to the next room with a key person were part of the July 2022 approach. At a visit, ask how those arrangements work now for a child joining this setting.

Newtown suits families exploring care for babies and toddlers who value the outdoor exploration, shared books and gradual introductions to new carers described in July 2022. Its July 2022 picture contains useful detail about daily life, alongside a clear weakness in group organisation. The strongest decision value lies in those concrete examples, rather than the grade alone.