Tinkerbells Day Nursery

In June 2024, apple trees, a polytunnel and a full-size drum kit gave Tinkerbells Day Nursery a recognisable character. In June 2024, children explored growing, nature and music alongside practical tasks that encouraged them to think for themselves. The emphasis was on participation: making, investigating and taking responsibility.

At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, finding excellent progress, strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and effective safeguarding. This Penwortham setting has capacity for 114 children and accepts ages from 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing these elements together in their daily experiences. In June 2024, learning moved from rhymes for babies to puppet-supported stories for toddlers and online investigation of preschool children's questions. Different stages had different starting points.

Practical problem-solving ran through the activities. In June 2024, children practised cutting and drew sea creatures, while mathematics included sorting by colour, subtraction songs and making dough balls and exploring one-to-one correspondence. These gave children concrete ways to explore ideas rather than simply hear explanations.

Outdoors, June 2024 activities included investigating bones in the natural forest area and comparing apple trees in the orchard area. Growing produce in the polytunnel connected learning with living things; discussions introduced words relating to decomposition. Visits from the mounted police, community outings and playing the full-size drum kit added experiences beyond the room. Children also discussed safety around the fire pit.

In June 2024, children sought comfort from familiar staff, and each room had a space where children could pause and reflect. Staff helped them recognise emotions and consider how their behaviour affected others. Helping prepare lunch wraps gave children a practical responsibility within the day.

Parents contributed to assessment and activity planning in June 2024, with information to extend learning at home. Staff also worked with health visitors, local authority advisers and speech and language therapists. Tracking children's learning, discussing concerns with parents and making referrals provided a concrete route to additional support.

The June 2024 leadership arrangements included mentoring, professional development and allocated responsibilities. These gave practitioners opportunities to develop their work and discuss practice with colleagues.

The address is Bridge Inn, Leyland Road, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 9XR. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas. For families planning regular childcare, those closure periods belong in the calendar alongside working hours.

• Outdoor exploration. June 2024 activities included the natural forest area, growing produce and discussions about fire-pit safety. Consider how this practical, outdoor emphasis fits your child's interests.
• Settling and attendance. How would settling and the booking pattern work together for your child's age and your family's routine?

Tinkerbells suits families who value practical exploration, outdoor learning and opportunities for children to take responsibility. The June 2024 examples give that judgement substance: growing produce, investigating questions and helping with lunch all made children active participants. The inspection judgement is strong; the most useful character detail is the connection between everyday tasks and learning.