Little Treasures Nursery, Warrington

Funky Chicken exercise sessions and family boards give Little Treasures Nursery, Warrington a recognisable character: movement, familiar faces and support for children's emotions featured prominently in October 2023. At its 11 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, judged safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children learning English as an additional language.

Based at Evelyn Street Primary School in Warrington, the nursery has capacity for 72 children and accepts ages from 3 to 60 months. Its inspection-era strengths combine language development, individual care and preparation for changes between nursery and school.

In October 2023, learning followed children's interests and earlier experiences. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the activities described included stories, physical play and practical problem-solving.

Language grew through concrete experiences. While exploring hedgehogs' habitats, older children encountered vocabulary about animals' nighttime activity and winter sleep. Repeated readings of familiar books gave children material for retelling stories during play. These were connected experiences rather than isolated vocabulary exercises.

Outdoor activity also had a clear purpose. Funky Chicken involved moving to music and copying actions outdoors, giving children opportunities to practise coordination. In another October 2023 activity, children worked together to retrieve a toy bear from a tree, trying different ideas until they found a solution. The task made persistence and cooperation part of play.

In October 2023, staff used family boards displaying photographs of important people to comfort babies settling into nursery. Children struggling with emotions received calm, individual help to identify their feelings and manage their responses. Familiar images and consistent responses gave reassurance a practical form.

Parents participated through the nursery's library and health programme, with opportunities for first-aid training and activities around food, fitness and emotional wellbeing. Children made snacks including fruit kebabs and overnight oats, while recipes were shared with families to use at home.

School preparation included visits to new classrooms and teachers spending time with children at nursery. Daily wake and shake exercise helped children beginning school prepare for the day within the wraparound club. These October 2023 arrangements connected preparation with familiar relationships and routines.

The address is Evelyn Street Primary School, Evelyn Street, Warrington, WA5 1BD. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In October 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Attendance at the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at Evelyn Street Primary School.

• Settling for babies. Family boards supported settling in October 2023. On a visit, ask how familiar photographs and individual settling arrangements would be used for your child.
• Your attendance pattern. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm. Which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family's routine?
• Starting school. Classroom visits and contact with teachers supported transition in October 2023. Keep nursery attendance and the Reception application separate: a nursery place does not secure a school place.

Little Treasures suits families who value language-rich play, practical emotional support and preparation for school, alongside a weekday opening window that extends into the early evening. The October 2023 examples make those priorities tangible: familiar photographs for babies, repeated stories and collaborative outdoor challenges. The dated Outstanding judgement gives the quality assessment a clear reference point.