Twiggy's Day Nursery, Madeley

School grounds, construction play and outdoor movement give Twiggy's Day Nursery, Madeley a recognisable character. In April 2023, children used a nearby school's playground frequently and its grounds for weekly forest school sessions, giving outdoor learning a place beyond the nursery's own play space.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 19 April 2023 and judged safeguarding effective. That is a dated judgement: the practical examples below distinguish the nursery day observed then from today's attendance arrangements.

Based at School Bungalow on Upper Road in Madeley, Telford, the nursery has 52 places in total for children from birth to five. School-hours short days sit alongside after-school and holiday clubs, giving the Madeley setting a role beyond early-years childcare alone.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. In everyday language, that means play and relationships contribute to learning alongside physical activity, communication and growing independence; it is the foundation of nursery education rather than an extra programme.

In April 2023, babies investigated spaghetti through touch and squeezed play dough, while older children worked together on construction projects. One building activity involved marking out an area with striped tape and discussing how to keep an exit clear. These were different kinds of exploration: sensory experiences for babies and shared planning for older children.

Communication also had a practical, visual element in April 2023. Babies became familiar with three signs, toddlers recognised and used up to six, and preschool children used 10. The signs helped children express what they needed, linking communication to ordinary moments in their day rather than treating it solely as a separate activity.

Outdoor and Community Life

Weekly forest school sessions in April 2023 took place on school grounds, bringing learning outdoors. Frequent use of the school's playground also gave children familiarity with that environment before their next educational stage. These experiences supported transition through familiarity, rather than establishing an admissions advantage.

Within the nursery's outdoor area in April 2023, climbing equipment and balance beams provided physical challenges. Children raced on foot and on wheeled toys, moved quickly to music and noticed changes in their heartbeat. Chalk marks on a blackboard and pavement added smaller hand movements to the bigger physical activity.

Local outings in April 2023 included walks to parks and shops. Community life was also visible through the fence: children watched the dustbin lorry and exchanged waves with its driver. The detail matters because familiar people and everyday work gave children something concrete to talk about beyond their play activities.

Relationships and Communication

In April 2023, babies had a key person who provided calm, attentive care, and they joined other babies in familiar songs. Older children practised managing belongings and fastening coats with staff encouragement. These small tasks made independence part of the ordinary routine, with adults helping rather than taking over immediately.

Daily conversations and an online communication tool connected staff and parents in April 2023. Madeley now has its own Babysdays app route, through which parents can read about their child's activities. The app gives families a way to follow their child's activities during the day.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In April 2023, staff used observations and their knowledge of individual children to identify gaps in learning. When development raised concerns, they added support and sought professional advice. The useful detail is the sequence: noticing a need, responding to it and involving others where necessary.

Safety was also part of children's conversations in April 2023. Staff discussed walking indoors and taking care on climbing equipment, while children considered how their construction activity affected access to an exit. These examples describe what happened at that time; they do not replace the dated safeguarding judgement.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is School Bungalow, Upper Road, Madeley, Telford, TF7 5DL. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening and bank-holiday closures.

Madeley offers short-day sessions based on school hours, as well as after-school and holiday clubs for children up to the age of 11. These are different attendance options: the short day serves an early-years routine, while the clubs extend the setting's provision to children already attending school. The Madeley contact number is 01952 270062, and enquiries can be sent to madeley@twiggysdaynursery.co.uk.

Funding and Paid Extras

In April 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for eligible children aged two, three and four. That describes participation at the inspection date rather than a guarantee of an eligible child's place today. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

For families combining nursery and school commitments, the school-hours short day is the clearest practical point. It provides a separate option from after-school attendance, so the choice should begin with which part of the family timetable needs childcare.

• Challenge and conversation. At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted called for more consistent challenge, independence and involvement in activities, alongside better language interactions through broader vocabulary and questions inviting fuller answers. During a visit, ask how staff extend an activity when a child has mastered its first step.
• School-hours attendance. Madeley offers short days based on school hours. Establish the exact start and finish arrangements when discussing this pattern, so it fits the rest of the family's school timetable.
• Funding and everyday extras. Funded early education formed part of the nursery's provision in April 2023. Ask for a current written breakdown covering funded attendance, meals and non-food consumables before choosing a booking pattern.

Twiggy's Madeley suits families considering short day, school hours sessions or After School clubs, with holiday clubs adding another attendance option. Its April 2023 nursery day had concrete strengths to weigh: outdoor physical activity, visual communication and experiences on school grounds.

The balance is teaching consistency. The same dated assessment identified the need for stronger challenge and richer conversations across staff practice. For parents, the useful visit is one that explores those everyday interactions alongside the attendance pattern they intend to use.