Building Blocks Day Nursery

Cooperative play gives Building Blocks Day Nursery in Heywood its clearest character: in October 2022, children helped friends put toy cars away and worked together to keep a ball balanced on a parachute. These small tasks gave children reasons to help one another and take responsibility.

At its 12 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 99 children, accepting babies and children from birth to 60 months.

In October 2022, babies splashed in water and blew bubbles, while older children threaded beads to make necklaces. These activities brought movement, hand control and early mathematical learning into play. Children also chose resources for themselves, giving them a practical role in shaping their day.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the October 2022 examples included learning through play, practising independence and working with other children. Staff assessed what children could do and used that knowledge to plan activities.

There were limits to that planning. In October 2022, resources for making clay monsters sometimes restricted how far children could develop their ideas. Learning also needed more purposeful planning for children who preferred being outdoors. Both points matter for families seeking sustained challenge rather than simply a choice of activities.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised additional needs early, worked with professionals and used additional funding flexibly to support children with SEND, who made good progress. This connected support to individual needs rather than treating funding as a uniform package.

In October 2022, children had close relationships with staff and settled readily. Everyday care included encouragement to clean their hands and faces around mealtimes, alongside learning about dental care and healthy food choices. Independence was built through manageable tasks.

In October 2022, parents had opportunities to attend parents evenings, and a lending library helped them continue learning at home. That gave families both a way to discuss development and resources to use together.

The address is Building Block Nursery, Sutherland Road, Heywood, OL10 3PN. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In October 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about an individual child's funded place.

• Stretching children's ideas. In October 2022, activities did not consistently extend children's thinking. The clay-monster example makes the practical issue clear: suitable resources matter as much as an appealing activity.
• Outdoor learning. In October 2022, planning needed to serve children who preferred outdoor play more effectively. Families whose children learn best outside should weigh this finding alongside the indoor examples.
• Planning attendance. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm, with holiday closures. At a visit, what booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's routine?

Building Blocks suits families seeking care across the working week who value cooperative play and practical independence. Its October 2022 picture combines positive relationships and individual support with clear development points around challenge and outdoor learning. Those details give parents a more useful basis for choosing than the Good grade alone.