Daisy Daycare

An obstacle course with hidden letters and a bridge built from crates gives Daisy Daycare’s April 2022 account a practical, playful character. Physical activity and early learning came together in the same experience.

At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found coordinated support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Daisy Daycare has capacity for 49 children, accepting ages from 2 to 60 months, at its Hindley address.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care: play, relationships and everyday routines contribute to their learning.

In April 2022, activities followed children’s interests and built on skills they already had. Babies explored their surroundings, while toddlers squeezed and shaped dough, practising control with their hands. Preschool children tackled the letter-finding obstacle course and crate bridge. These were concrete ways to combine movement with learning.

Outdoor experiences extended beyond the play area. In April 2022, children regularly visited nearby woods and parks, while wheeled vehicles and parachute equipment supported physical play. Puppets and pictures helped hold children’s attention during stories, giving familiar books another way to engage them.

There were also weaknesses to address. In April 2022, some practitioners were insufficiently clear about the particular knowledge or skills an activity should develop. Opportunities to explore different cultures and lives beyond children’s immediate surroundings also needed strengthening. Enjoyable activities needed clearer educational purpose and broader content.

In April 2022, babies formed relationships with their key person and settled quickly. Staff helped children handle difficult feelings through encouragement and by demonstrating considerate behaviour. Sharing and taking turns were part of daily learning.

Support in April 2022 involved parents, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists, with additional funding used for individual staff support. This gave children practical help to participate in activities.

Everyday independence mattered too. In April 2022, older children washed their hands before eating and served themselves water and fruit; babies were encouraged to try feeding themselves. Parents received developmental updates through an online system, and information about learning at home helped inform nursery activities. Children also practised skills for their eventual move to school.

The address is 106 Castle Hill Road, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 4BH. Opening hours are 07:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In April 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated funding position rather than a current entitlement commitment.

• Purpose behind play. April 2022 identified uneven clarity about what activities should teach. During a visit, ask how practitioners choose the next skills for your child and assess what an activity has achieved.
• A broader view of the world. Cultural learning needed development in April 2022. Ask for recent examples of experiences introducing children to people and traditions beyond their immediate surroundings.
• Your attendance pattern. The weekday opening window runs from 07:30 to 18:00. Which booking arrangement and current funded-hours terms would fit your family?

Daisy Daycare merits consideration for families seeking care within a weekday opening window, with an inspection-era account of practical play, growing independence and individual support. The April 2022 strengths sit alongside clear curriculum priorities: purposeful activities and wider cultural learning. Those are useful subjects to explore when judging the nursery’s present-day fit.