Chec Mates Day Care

Language gives Chec Mates Day Care its character: books, conversation and vocabulary run through its April 2024 learning programme. Based at Madeley Baptist Church in Telford, it has capacity for 38 children aged 30 to 60 months.

At its 3 April 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found that teaching was carefully adapted to children's needs, with targeted language support helping their progress. The strongest detail is how learning connects with children's interests, rather than relying on activities in isolation.

In April 2024, nature supplied practical starting points for learning: children acted out bees carrying pollen, then painted bees. Binoculars supported bird observation, while weighing bird food brought mathematics into the activity. These examples connected talk, imaginative play and hands-on investigation.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2024 programme translated that into play shaped around individual learning targets, with staff encouraging children to remember earlier experiences and explain their thinking.

Outdoor physical challenges and community visits also featured that month. Children explored changes in their heartbeat after energetic activity; outings introduced road safety and risks such as poisonous plants. Learning extended beyond the activity itself into practical habits.

At the April 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified individual support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including one-to-one help while the SENDCo began the local authority process. That gives families a concrete picture of how additional needs were addressed at that point.

In April 2024, staff learnt about children's home languages and how best to communicate with their families, including during transfers from the sister nursery. Parents received information about learning and vocabulary to continue exploring at home. This made the connection between nursery and home practical.

That month's routines included handwashing and oral care. Staff also helped children handle disagreements, practise good manners and respect friends and resources.

The address is Madeley Baptist Church, High Street, Madeley, Telford, TF7 5AH. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In April 2024, session times were 8am to 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for three- and four-year-olds. These are dated attendance and funding details, separate from the current opening hours.

• Language support. Communication shaped the April 2024 programme, including vocabulary for expressing feelings and needs. At a visit, ask how that approach would support your child's starting point.
• Additional needs. One-to-one help and a SENDCo-led local authority process featured in April 2024. Families needing support should discuss how the current arrangements would work for their child.
• Attendance and funding. The nursery opens across the year, with bank holiday and Christmas closures. Ask for a written quotation covering your intended attendance, funded hours and any meal or consumable charges.

Chec Mates suits families seeking care for children aged 30 to 60 months, with weekday opening across the year. Its April 2024 inspection provides a strong basis for considering it: the useful detail is the connection between language, nature-based play and individual support. Families whose priorities include communication and preparation for school have clear reasons to explore it.