Ladybird Stonemill

In October 2022, language and family support gave Ladybird Stonemill its character: signs alongside spoken words, play shaped around individual children, and practical help reaching beyond the nursery day. This Lancashire Hill setting has 16 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months.

At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found good progress among children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those learning English as an additional language, especially in language development. These are dated judgements, rather than a fresh assessment of daily practice.

In October 2022, activities started from children's interests and what they could already do. Staff used observations to identify the next step for each child, making the learning personal rather than giving everyone an identical task.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the October 2022 examples included learning through play, conversation and physical activity. Signs and symbols helped children communicate while their spoken language developed. Stories and songs introduced shapes and numbers, while dough and finger paint offered textures to investigate.

Physical play had substance too. In October 2022, children practised jumping, sliding and climbing, and used chalk boards to strengthen the hand movements needed for writing. Indoor and outdoor spaces were organised with a calm feel. Together, these examples show a day that made room for movement as well as communication.

In October 2022, children formed close relationships with staff and friendships with one another. Practitioners joined their play, demonstrated positive behaviour and intervened when safety required it. Children also washed their own hands at the sink after lunch or messy activities, giving independence a practical place in the day.

Family support was a substantial part of the October 2022 provision. Staff connected families with housing trusts, counselling, food banks and help with behaviour. They also worked with other professionals when children needed additional support. Parent conversations included children's next learning steps and ways to continue that learning at home.

Training in October 2022 was targeted to staff development, including assessment, and colleagues learned from one another. That matters because useful observations need to lead to suitable activities, rather than remain a record of what happened.

The address is 12 Stonemill Terrace, Lancashire Hill, Stockport SK5 7RZ.

In October 2022, opening hours were 8.30am to 2.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during term time. The setting then provided funded care for two-, three- and four-year-olds, and every child attending held a funded place. This describes the attendance and funding arrangements at that date.

• Challenge during play. In October 2022, staff sometimes stepped in with help before children had enough opportunity to solve a problem themselves. Giving children time to think was the improvement priority, so the balance between support and independence deserves attention.
• Attendance fit. The October 2022 timetable covered three weekdays in term time. Which current attendance and funded-care arrangements would match your family's needs?

Ladybird Stonemill merits consideration for families who value communication support and practical relationships with staff. Its October 2022 strengths lay in individual learning, signs alongside speech and help for the wider family. The counterweight is equally specific: children needed more consistent opportunities to think problems through for themselves.