Highview Nursery

Conversation and shared reading give Highview Nursery its clearest character: in December 2023, children explored descriptive words with magnifying glasses and borrowed books through the nursery lending library. Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 4 December 2023 inspection.

This Upholland setting has capacity for 36 children and accepts ages 24 to 60 months. Its inspection picture combines close relationships and practical independence with two clear improvements needed: more purposeful group activities and more consistent hygiene teaching.

In December 2023, language development ran through everyday exchanges. Practitioners gave children time to answer questions and encouraged conversations about family life and their interests. Magnifying glasses brought descriptive vocabulary into play, giving children something concrete to talk about.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the December 2023 examples included books, mark-making and early writing alongside conversation. Children could reach reading and mark-making materials throughout the day, and some were beginning to produce recognisable letters.

Weekly use of the nursery lending library connected reading at nursery with home. Children also acted out favourite stories, while home-learning books prompted discussion about their families and cultures. These activities gave them ways to share their own experiences and hear about other people's lives.

Group learning was less consistent. In December 2023, some activities continued too long and lacked a clear enough learning purpose, causing children to lose interest.

At the December 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support well established, with targeted learning plans helping children while they awaited external referrals.

During that month, staff knew children closely and built affectionate relationships. Adults demonstrated polite behaviour, and children practised listening to each other. Pouring drinks and serving their own lunch gave children opportunities to manage everyday tasks themselves.

Communication with families included developmental updates and ideas for learning at home. Information travelled both ways, helping staff connect nursery activities with children's experiences elsewhere. However, December 2023 hygiene teaching needed greater consistency, including helping children understand why they should cover their mouths when coughing.

The address is 144 Tower Hill Road, Upholland, SKELMERSDALE, Lancashire WN8 0DT.

In December 2023, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation except bank holidays and one week at Christmas. At that time, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Group activities. In December 2023, some children disengaged from lengthy group tasks. During a visit, ask how staff now keep these activities purposeful and responsive to children's attention.
• Hygiene teaching. December 2023 practice was inconsistent. Ask how everyday routines now teach children to reduce the spread of infection.
• Attendance and costs. Ask for the booking patterns and a written quotation covering your intended attendance, including the treatment of meals and non-food consumables during funded hours.

Highview suits families seeking an emphasis on conversation, reading and children's growing independence. The December 2023 examples make that emphasis tangible: borrowing books, discussing family life and serving lunch. The two improvement points deserve attention alongside those strengths, especially for parents weighing how well their child responds to group learning.