Gillitots Day Nursery

Real tools, cardboard construction and balancing beams give Gillitots Day Nursery's June 2022 account a practical, hands-on character. Children were encouraged to try things themselves and work together, with garden play providing opportunities to develop movement and judgement.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 13 June 2022, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes. Gillitots serves children aged 3 to 60 months at 2 Warburton Lane, Partington, Manchester, M31 4NR.

In June 2022, babies explored independently and practised standing and walking, while older children used tools with adult supervision to join cardboard boxes. These were experiences with a clear purpose: testing movement, handling materials and considering safety.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2022 examples show learning through play: children discussed their ideas, selected books and tackled practical problems together. Preschool children used crates and planks to lengthen a balancing beam, negotiating how to make it work.

Stories also connected learning with remembered experiences. In June 2022, toddlers explored a textured book about London and linked a carriage illustration to the Jubilee celebrations. Staff gave social interaction and conversation extra attention following pandemic isolation, using shared play and stories to encourage discussion and new words.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported through close work with outside agencies. That combination matters for families whose children need coordinated help as well as everyday care.

In June 2022, staff tracked children's development and used their next steps to shape activities. Independence extended beyond play: babies chose toys, and toddlers understood hand hygiene after using a tissue.

Two weaknesses deserve attention. In June 2022, recruitment difficulties had brought the manager and provider into the playrooms, leaving staff supervision insufficiently precise about improving teaching. Some parents also had difficulty accessing new online communication methods, and staff had not recognised the problem. Those families consequently had less information to support learning at home.

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Its address is 2 Warburton Lane, Partington, Manchester, M31 4NR.

In June 2022, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of entitlement for an individual family.

• Teaching supervision. June 2022 improvement priorities included sharper coaching and supervision of staff. Discuss how teaching is now reviewed and supported.
• Parent communication. Some families struggled with online communication in June 2022. A visit should include a demonstration of how progress information reaches parents.
• Attendance and funding. Weekday opening spans 8am to 6pm, with Christmas and bank-holiday closures. What booking pattern and current funded-hours arrangements would fit your child's attendance?

Gillitots suits families seeking weekday care who value practical play and opportunities for children to become more independent. The June 2022 picture combines collaborative activities and strong behaviour with specific weaknesses in staff supervision and parent communication. Those two points should shape a family's discussion before joining.