Daisy Chain at Wrekin Prep

Story-led play gives this nursery a recognisable character: babies explored Dear Zoo while toddlers searched the garden on a Gruffalo walk in November 2024. At its 12 November 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good and found safeguarding effective.

Daisy Chain at Wrekin Prep has capacity for 91 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months. Its address is Old Hall, Stanley Road, Wellington, TF1 3LB. The strongest inspection-era details concern children's choices, communication and relationships with adults.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play helping children practise language, movement and independence.

In November 2024, stories supplied starting points for activities. Dear Zoo prompted babies to copy animal noises and movements; the Gruffalo walk took toddlers outdoors to search for animals in the garden. These linked books with experiences children could join in themselves.

Sensory containers gave babies textures to investigate and materials to pull out. Toddlers practised words and gestures through action songs, while older children shaped dough. Number songs and matching numerals brought mathematical ideas into play.

Children also helped shape their day. In November 2024, older children chose a weekly story by voting and selected a theme for outdoor role play. Daily outdoor play included running, jumping and using equipment. Visits to a local care home, return visits from residents for afternoon tea, and talks from a nurse and a builder introduced people beyond the nursery.

At the November 2024 inspection, Ofsted praised parent partnerships and emotional support, noting daily feedback, home-learning help through a lending library, and prompt collaboration with parents and professionals when developmental concerns arose.

In November 2024, younger children turned to adults for comfort, while preschool children practised words for their feelings. Staff encouraged small steps towards independence, including babies handling spoons, and helped children negotiate disagreements during play. This made everyday routines opportunities to practise expressing needs and doing things for themselves.

Home-cooked meals and snacks were served in November 2024, with drinking water accessible during the day.

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. In November 2024, its session window ran from 7.30am to 6pm and it provided early education funding for eligible children.

In November 2024, the nursery operated on the premises of Old Hall school. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Purpose behind activities. In November 2024, activity planning needed clearer links between intended learning and children's existing skills. On a visit, ask how staff now select activities and explain the next steps they support.
• Attendance pattern. The weekday opening window spans 7.30am to 6pm. Ask which booking arrangement would fit your family's routine.

Daisy Chain at Wrekin Prep suits families seeking weekday childcare across the year who value story-based play and children's growing independence. The November 2024 picture combines practical learning, outdoor activity and contact with the wider community. The decision point is how clearly today's activities build on each child's learning, alongside an attendance arrangement that works for the family.