Back To The Garden Childcare, Altrincham

A Tipi, an Atelier and a garden built for investigation give Back To The Garden Childcare, Altrincham its character. Children have space to climb, grow plants and watch birds, while the Atelier provides a place for art and imaginative play. These are practical settings for children to follow an interest, rather than simply move between adult-led activities.

At its September 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, with a clear improvement point about making the planned curriculum consistent in everyday practice. That distinction matters: thoughtful surroundings and ambitious plans need to translate into what children actually do.

The purpose-built nursery is at 162 Sinderland Road in Broadheath, Altrincham, WA14 5JQ, with capacity for 120 children aged 3 to 60 months. That is the whole nursery's capacity, rather than the size of an individual group.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and practical exploration help children build skills across its areas of learning. Forest School adds nature-based learning at this branch, with a Tipi supporting the outdoor provision. An investigation station and growing area give children something concrete to observe and revisit as plants develop and birds appear.

Art has its own space. The Atelier supports creativity and imaginative play, while natural materials are used in activities shaped by children's interests. Large windows bring daylight into the indoor spaces. Together, these arrangements give children different ways to explore an idea, from making something indoors to investigating it outside.

The Potting Shed connects gardening with practical making. Children plant and harvest produce there, and woodworking introduces real tools. The garden also supports nature bingo, shadow play and looking for insects in the bug hotel. These activities make the outdoor area a place for close observation as well as movement.

In September 2021, preschool children practised using hammers in the tool shed and developed their own construction ideas. Toddlers selected rhymes using pictures on wooden spoons, linking an image with a familiar song. Those examples show the different forms practical learning took for younger and older children at that time.

Outdoor and Community Life

Climbing and play equipment provide physical challenges in the outdoor area. Planting, bird-watching and investigating offer a quieter alternative, so outdoor learning need not mean the same activity for every child.

In September 2021, children also explored nearby woodland, learnt words connected with autumn and discussed why berries could be unsafe to eat but useful food for birds. Books about seasonal changes were used alongside outdoor observations. The connection was straightforward: children could relate a picture or a new word to something they could see around them.

Relationships and Communication

Famly is used during the day to communicate with parents and give them an insight into their child's experiences. For families spending the day apart, that provides a channel between home and nursery rather than leaving every exchange until collection.

In September 2021, staff learnt about children's personalities and routines before they started. Babies' key persons agreed approaches to weaning and self-feeding with parents. The useful detail here is the shared plan: a baby learning to eat independently could receive consistent help across home and nursery.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the September 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described support for children with SEND that used specialist advice when setting learning goals, alongside additional funding used to purchase sensory resources. These are dated findings about practice, rather than an assurance about every child's current experience.

The Altrincham nursery has spaces for resting and relaxing, as well as dedicated areas for creative activities. Its tepee is used for storytelling, yoga, breathing exercises and music. That gives quieter experiences a physical place alongside the larger outdoor and indoor play spaces.

An in-house chef prepares home-cooked food, and children eat together in a family-style arrangement. Seasonal menus and children's involvement in harvesting and cooking connect food with the growing activities, making meals part of the day’s learning as well as a time to eat.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. An early drop-off option runs between 7am and 8am, and a separately charged late evening session runs from 6pm to 6.30pm. The distinction matters for work schedules: the earlier and later extensions carry additional charges.

The nursery operates throughout the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas. The Altrincham team handles enquiries and registration on 0161 537 7999.

Getting There

The address is 162 Sinderland Road, Broadheath, Altrincham, WA14 5JQ. Free parking is provided at the nursery, a useful practical feature for families travelling by car.

Funding and Paid Extras

In September 2021, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. Families should obtain a current written quotation from the nursery for prices, including any early drop-off or late evening additions.

• Curriculum in practice. In September 2021, planned opportunities were not delivered consistently; helping to lay the lunch table was one example. During a visit, ask how staff now make sure everyday routines deliver the learning they intend.
• The youngest starting age. The nursery's age range starts at 3 months, while its Altrincham offer describes accepting babies from 4 months. Families seeking an earlier start should clarify the starting-age arrangement before booking.
• Funding and the complete quotation. Funded education was offered in September 2021, and early drop-off and late evening extensions carry extra charges. Ask which funded entitlements are offered now, how hours are arranged, and who pays for meals and consumables under the proposed booking.

This nursery suits families who value outdoor investigation, creative space and practical experiences such as growing produce and using tools. The Atelier, Tipi and Potting Shed give that approach substance. For working parents, the ordinary opening day and the separately charged early and late options provide different ways to fit care around a schedule.

The September 2021 Good judgement supplies a positive assessment, tempered by the need for more consistent delivery of the intended curriculum. The strongest reason to consider this branch is the connection between its spaces and its activities: children can make, grow, observe and play in settings designed for those purposes.