The Learning Tree Children's Nursery and Pre-School

In September 2025, a horse called Dobbin gave this Halsall nursery a concrete starting point for learning about living things. In September 2025, children fed him apples and brushed his mane, bringing animal care into their outdoor learning.

The Learning Tree Children's Nursery and Pre-School has capacity for 32 children, with accepted ages from 24 to 59 months. At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. The clearest strengths were practical outdoor experiences and relationships with staff; the improvement priorities concerned consistency in teaching and opportunities for children to manage tasks themselves.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the September 2025 examples included play, conversation, stories and early mathematics.

During that month, the construction area gave children tools and materials to investigate, alongside new vocabulary about how things work. Counting children before outdoor play and exploring size and shape through building connected mathematics to everyday activity.

Outside, children explored plants and wildlife, gathered garden materials and learnt about bees. Dobbin added a practical responsibility: caring for an animal made respect for living things something children could practise.

Teaching was less consistent. In September 2025, some practitioners understood how to develop the curriculum more confidently than others, so opportunities to take learning further depended on who was supporting the activity.

In September 2025, key-person relationships and familiar routines helped children settle. Home visits supported the move from home to nursery, while a story about baby owls helped children discuss separation and the return of their parents or carers.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised children's needs early, worked with parents and external professionals, and used additional funding to provide individual support for disadvantaged children.

That month, staff reinforced sharing and listening through group discussions and everyday reminders. Children also learnt practical safety messages about traffic lights and seat belts. Independence needed more attention: adults sometimes helped with coats or serving food before children had the chance to try. Those ordinary tasks matter because they give children repeated practice in looking after themselves.

The address is c/o Halsall C of E Primary School, New Street, Halsall, Nr Ormskirk, L39 8RR. Opening hours are 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays.

In September 2025, the nursery provided government-funded childcare and arranged transitions to school. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Teaching consistency. September 2025 brought a recommendation for closer monitoring and support of practitioners. On a visit, ask how staff now extend children's learning across different activities.
• Everyday independence. Adults sometimes took over manageable tasks in September 2025. Ask how children now practise putting on coats and serving their food.
• Term-time timetable. The 8.45am to 3.15pm opening window and school-holiday closures suit families whose childcare needs follow the school calendar. Consider how that fits your working day.

This nursery suits families seeking term-time care for children aged 24 to 59 months. Its September 2025 experience combined garden exploration, animal care and thoughtful settling support. The important qualification is consistency: extending learning and allowing children time to attempt everyday tasks were the areas requiring further work.