Chapel Street Nursery School

In November 2024, feeding calves and lambs, making discoveries in a mud kitchen and joining church celebrations gave this Checkley setting a recognisable character. Chapel Street Nursery School serves children aged two to four at Checkley Community Centre, Uttoxeter Road, ST10 4NB.

At its November 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective and children making good progress. The strongest practical detail is the connection between play, conversation and community experiences; the improvement priorities concern adapting activities to individual children and taking learning further.

In November 2024, children had daily outdoor play, with trikes for physical activity and a mud kitchen for imaginative exploration. Feeding calves and lambs also gave them experience of caring for animals. These were concrete ways to explore movement, imagination and the natural world.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: children build skills through play, conversation and everyday experiences. In November 2024, staff followed children's interests, talked with them and shared books. The silly soup activity combined singing with identifying letter sounds, giving early literacy a playful form.

Community outings were regular in November 2024. Children visited the local church and participated in Harvest and Christmas events, connecting nursery experiences with local traditions. Ice, dough, crayons and paintbrushes provided further opportunities for sensory exploration and hand control.

In November 2024, staff knew children and their families well, encouraged sharing and turn-taking, and celebrated achievements. Parents received information about their children's development and care. Mealtimes brought children together socially, making everyday routines another opportunity for relationships.

The November 2024 inspection identified two teaching priorities: matching group activities and routines more closely to children's developmental needs, including opportunities for independence, and helping staff extend learning when opportunities arose. For parents, the useful distinction is between an engaging activity and one that challenges their own child appropriately.

The address is Checkley Community Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Checkley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4NB. The current age range is two to four, so this profile concerns toddler and preschool care.

In November 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated participation statement rather than a promise of a funded booking for an individual family.

• Individual challenge. The November 2024 improvement priorities covered adapting activities and extending learning. Look for examples of how the same activity supports children at different developmental stages.
• Independence in routines. Everyday routines were part of the November 2024 improvement work. A visit can explore how children practise doing things for themselves during shared activities and meals.
• Attendance arrangements. Which opening hours, session patterns and holiday arrangements apply to your intended booking?

The conversation, outdoor exploration and community experiences documented in November 2024 make this nursery worth considering for families seeking toddler and preschool care. Its November 2024 Good judgement provides a positive assessment, balanced by specific teaching priorities. The decision turns on how those priorities translate into suitable challenge and independence for each child.