Haslingden Community Link Childcare Services

Balance bikes for babies and egg investigations for older children give Haslingden Community Link Childcare Services a practical, hands-on character in its August 2024 account of daily life. Based on Bury Road in Haslingden, Rossendale, it has capacity for 91 children from birth to five.

At its August 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support and made good progress. The detail matters: familiar sleep routines, help with emotions and opportunities to make choices gave care a different emphasis at each stage.

In August 2024, babies practised physical skills with balance bikes, toddlers explored construction blocks, and preschool children worked on recognising and writing letters from their names. These were concrete steps towards movement, problem-solving and early literacy, rather than the same activity repeated across ages.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: here, the August 2024 examples included learning through play, conversation and practical investigation. Children discussed vegetables as they cut them, exploring smell and texture; older children compared eggs before and after cooking. A bucket containing concealed objects gave toddlers a reason to anticipate, listen and learn new words.

Outdoor play took place daily in August 2024, alongside yoga and dance. Children had also recently taken part in a mini Olympics, including manoeuvring a ball around cones. Outdoor activity and outdoor learning were different matters, however. At the August 2024 inspection, Ofsted called for better-planned outdoor learning and clearer understanding among staff of what planned activities should teach, noting that excessive information sometimes caused children to disengage.

In August 2024, staff tried to match babies’ sleep patterns to those used at home. Toddlers received help recognising emotions, while preschool children practised independence through making decisions. Gentle prompts, sharing and help resolving disagreements made expectations concrete.

Communication extended beyond daily care. In August 2024, staff discussed development with parents and offered ideas for learning at home. Observations helped identify additional needs, funding was directed towards children’s care and learning, and referrals involved specialist teachers or speech and language therapists. Teachers visited to discuss children’s needs before their move to school.

Fresh meals were prepared daily in August 2024, with a varied menu. Staff also helped children understand drinking water in warm weather, connecting everyday routines with health.

The address is Bury Road, Haslingden, Rossendale, BB4 5PG. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year.

In August 2024, the nursery provided funded education for children aged two, three and four.

• Outdoor learning. August 2024 brought daily outdoor play but less carefully planned learning outside. Families whose children prefer outdoor activity should explore how outdoor learning now works.
• Purposeful activities. The August 2024 improvement points concerned teaching intentions and giving children manageable amounts of information. Ask how staff adapt explanations to children’s understanding.
• Attendance and costs. For care within the weekday opening window, what booking patterns, funded-hours arrangements and charges for meals or consumables would apply to your child?

This nursery suits families seeking care from babyhood through the preschool years, especially those who value practical play and continuity between home and nursery. Its August 2024 strengths sit in everyday routines and concrete learning experiences. The questions to pursue concern how activity planning and outdoor learning have developed.