Small World Nurseries

Baby Moves and preschool Spanish give Tudor House in Castleton a recognisable identity: sensory exploration for younger children and another language for those approaching school age. Small World Nurseries cares for children aged three to 60 months and has 94 places in total. Those places describe the whole setting, rather than the number of children sharing a room.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and praised the relationships built through its key-worker system. That is a dated judgement. The practical questions now centre on daily transitions, communication between staff and how the youngest children experience their day.

Rooms and Ages

Tiny Stars emphasises children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development, with activities adapted to their individual stage and interests. The emphasis is on helping children participate and build confidence, rather than expecting everyone to develop at the same pace.

The whole-setting age range extends from three to 60 months. For parents comparing provision for a baby with provision for an older child, the relevant distinction is the child’s daily experience: who shares their space, which activities suit their stage and how changes between activities are handled.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children’s learning, development and care: through play and everyday activities, children develop communication, social and emotional skills and early literacy. In July 2022, learning here emphasised communication and social and emotional development, while preschool children practised recognising letter sounds. Baby Moves adds a named physical, sound and sensory programme, with communication and attachment among its aims. Tudor House is licensed to deliver it, so this is a concrete addition to the nursery day rather than simply a curriculum label.

A Spanish teacher works with preschool children. This gives the older age group an additional language experience; it should not be read as a promise of fluency or a particular lesson timetable.

In July 2022, babies explored the movement and sound of foil blankets during Baby Moves, while toddlers shaped foam into pretend cupcakes. Preschool children rehearsed songs for their graduation. These examples show different kinds of participation: watching and responding, manipulating materials, and performing something practised together.

Outdoor play also formed part of the day in July 2022. Children chose activities and played alongside friends and staff. The useful thread across these observations is children’s involvement in what they were doing, whether exploring a texture or choosing where to play.

In July 2022, key workers recognised individual milestones, including children beginning to join song movements or gaining confidence to introduce themselves. Celebrating those small steps gave personal achievements a place in the daily routine. For a parent, that is more informative than a broad promise that every child receives attention.

There were also practical weaknesses in July 2022. Some children became distressed when play ended or they moved indoors, because instructions and preparation were insufficient. Requests for additional help sometimes reached management slowly, leaving practitioners temporarily overwhelmed even though colleagues were available.

Ofsted’s November 2024 compliance outcome recorded that requirements had not been met and that corrective changes had been made to supervision, routines, collection arrangements and communication within rooms. Children were brought to room doors for handover, and staff received training about keeping track of colleagues and children. These are dated actions, rather than a new overall inspection judgement.

Sessions and Attendance

Tudor House is at 699 Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 3AD. Its opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Nursery enquiries can be made by telephone on 01706 861 103.

For school-age children, the before-and-after-school provision starts at 7.30am and closes at 6pm, with breakfast and afternoon tea provided. It serves Marland Hill Primary, St Edwards Primary, St Gabriels Primary and Castleton Primary. These are childcare arrangements around the school day; they do not describe a nursery-to-school admissions pathway.

Holiday Club runs from 8am to 5.30pm during school holidays. Both the school-day provision and Holiday Club cater for children aged five to 11. This older-child offer should be kept separate from the nursery’s three-to-60-month age range when choosing care: the activities and timetable belong to different stages of childhood.

For families already using one of the named schools, the combination of before-and-after-school care and holiday provision may make Tudor House relevant beyond the preschool years. The published times also distinguish these services from the nursery’s ordinary opening window. Current prices come in the nursery’s written quotation.

• Changes during the nursery day. In July 2022, some children struggled when activities ended or routines changed. During a visit, ask how staff now prepare children to leave outdoor play or begin a meal, especially if your child needs warning before a change.
• Staff communication and supervision. The November 2024 corrective actions included communication training and changes to staff deployment and routines. Ask how those arrangements work across the day and how a practitioner obtains help while continuing to supervise children.
• The youngest children’s day. Baby Moves provides sensory and physical experiences, but choosing baby care involves more than an activity programme. Ask who would share your child’s space and how care is organised around their individual routine.
• Nursery and school-age care. Before-and-after-school provision and Holiday Club have their own hours and older age range. When discussing a booking, distinguish the service you need from the nursery day, particularly if you are arranging care for siblings at different stages.

Small World Nurseries has a clear learning identity in Baby Moves and preschool Spanish, supported by concrete examples of children’s participation in July 2022. The same inspection raised useful questions about transitions and staff communication, and the November 2024 actions deserve attention when considering present-day practice.

It suits families interested in sensory learning for younger children and language experiences for preschool children. For older siblings attending the named schools, before-and-after-school care and Holiday Club provide two further attendance patterns with separate timetables.