The Playhouse Day Nursery

In December 2023, play dough recipes, counting while climbing and conversations around books illustrated how children practised language and number skills through everyday play. At its December 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, with positive findings about its curriculum and children's learning.

Based in Pemberton, Wigan, the nursery has 29 places in total. Children attending in December 2023 were aged one to three; that describes the children at that visit rather than today's accepted age range.

The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the December 2023 examples show how play brought those elements together: children followed a recipe using play dough, while a mathematics song connected the activity with numbers.

In December 2023, staff worked counting into climbing activities and used tidying to encourage children to think about where objects belonged. Outdoor mud play also became an opportunity to recall the process of making play dough. These were practical ways to revisit earlier learning.

Books prompted conversation rather than just listening. In December 2023, staff paused during shared reading and asked questions about both fiction and non-fiction. Songs, rhymes and words introduced during play gave children further opportunities to practise language.

At the December 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described children, including those with SEND, as feeling secure and content, with staff close enough to offer reassurance. Safeguarding practice then included staff training, checks on policy knowledge, safe-sleep training and prompt follow-up of absences.

In December 2023, reminders helped children prepare for changes in the routine, and staff explained why walking indoors mattered. Parents received advice about talking, toilet learning and sharing books. Staff also received observation and coaching to develop their practice.

Healthy snacks and daily toothbrushing formed part of care in December 2023. Children could pour their own milk at snack time, but support for independence was uneven: adults sometimes stepped in too readily during outdoor climbing and balancing. Communication about healthy food choices also needed strengthening so that learning continued more consistently at home.

The address is 695-697 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan, WN5 8AQ.

In December 2023, opening hours ran from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round operation apart from Christmas and bank holidays. At that time, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating arrangements.

• Independence outdoors. In December 2023, some adults offered more help than children needed with climbing and balancing. Discuss how staff now judge when to step back and let children persist.
• Healthy choices at home. December 2023 improvement priorities included clearer curriculum communication with parents about food. Ask how that guidance now connects nursery activities with home routines.
• Attendance planning. The December 2023 opening window was 8am to 5pm on weekdays. Which current booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family?

The strongest fit is for parents who value learning woven into practical play, books and everyday routines. December 2023 provides concrete examples of that approach, alongside two useful points to explore: how children are encouraged to persevere independently, and how parents receive guidance about healthy food choices.