Richmond House Nursery

Paint explored with bare feet, rice scoops that test small hands, and stories carried into play: Richmond House Nursery's August 2022 daily life combined sensory exploration with purposeful learning. At its 11 August 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Outstanding overall. That is a dated judgement, rather than a description of today's daily practice.

The nursery serves children aged 36 to 60 months at 222 Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA15 9SR. Its current opening pattern is term-time, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; in everyday terms, play supports learning alongside children's wellbeing. In August 2022, activities connected physical exploration with language: staff supplied words for movement while children balanced in paint, and introduced concepts such as shape and size during play.

Small movements had a clear purpose. In August 2022, opening scoops in rice exercised children's hands, while dough play prompted discussion about the finger movements needed to hold a pencil. These examples linked an enjoyable activity to a skill children would use later.

Books also shaped the August 2022 experience. Favourite stories informed activities, and children brought familiar songs and story phrases into their play. Older children practised taking turns and helped younger children remember polite language. Learning extended beyond adult-led tasks into interactions between children.

At the August 2022 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding, strong emotional support through the key-person system, and excellent progress including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff used knowledge of children's home lives to shape activities, while work with parents and other professionals supported early intervention.

In August 2022, children explored health through caring for dolls, applying sun lotion and giving them water. That made looking after themselves something they could practise through play. Staff also helped children recognise and express feelings, giving emotional development a place alongside practical learning.

The address is 222 Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA15 9SR. Term-time opening runs from 8am to 5pm on weekdays, so the nursery's calendar matters as much as its daily hours when planning childcare around work.

In August 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. This describes participation at that time, rather than a current funding arrangement.

• Term-time calendar. Opening follows school terms. Families needing childcare through holidays should factor that calendar into their arrangements.
• The age of the judgement. The Outstanding judgement dates to August 2022. It provides a substantial account of practice at that point; a visit should explore how today's activities and key-person arrangements work for your child.
• Funding and attendance. For a child within the current age range of 36 to 60 months, what funded attendance pattern and associated charges would apply?

Richmond House Nursery suits families seeking term-time childcare for children aged 36 to 60 months. Its August 2022 account gives useful substance to the Outstanding judgement: language threaded through sensory play, hand skills practised through everyday materials, and stories influencing activities. The practical fit rests on its term-time calendar and weekday opening hours.