Rathlee Nursery School

A rabbit, ducks and children helping with their care give Rathlee Nursery School's January 2023 nursery life a recognisable character. Those everyday tasks brought responsibility into children's play, alongside walks in a nearby park. At its 12 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective.

Rathlee has capacity for 38 children, with an age range of 3 to 60 months, at 14 Grosvenor Road, St. Helens. Its opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: learning through play sits alongside attention to their wellbeing. In January 2023, activities drew on children's interests and next steps, with dinosaurs among the subjects that caught their attention.

Younger children explored textures, while older children worked with tools in sand and took on imaginary roles as doctors and pirates. These were practical ways to exercise fingers and imagination. Books, songs and rhymes also featured in January 2023; older children discussed authors and illustrators, taking their interest beyond the story itself.

Outdoor experiences had a useful everyday purpose. In January 2023, children walked in the nearby park, and older children fed the ducks and changed the hay for the rabbit. Caring for animals gave them tasks with consequences for another living creature. Running and jumping formed part of daily exercise, with visiting companies also providing sport activities.

In January 2023, staff offered affection and reassurance, praised kindness towards babies and encouraged persistence with challenging activities. Clear instructions helped older children put materials away. Care extended into the ordinary habits of sharing a space.

Parents received progress updates and suggestions for continuing learning at home in January 2023, with information exchanged when children started. Children also contributed ideas for nutritious meals, connecting discussions about health with food they would eat.

The address is Rathlee Nursery School, 14 Grosvenor Road, St. Helens, WA10 3HX. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. That closing period matters when planning childcare around work.

In January 2023, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four.

• Space for children's ideas. In January 2023, staff sometimes intervened too quickly in younger children's pretend play. Giving children room to develop their own ideas was an improvement priority.
• Time to answer. In January 2023, questioning sometimes moved faster than children's responses. More thinking time was needed to let children formulate their answers.
• Attendance arrangements. The weekday opening window spans 7.30am to 6pm. At a visit, which booking patterns and funded arrangements would fit your family's week?

Rathlee suits families seeking childcare for babies through preschool age within a weekday opening window. Animal care, imaginative play and parent updates give its January 2023 account substance. The two teaching priorities also matter: children need time both to invent their play and to answer for themselves.