Little Cherubs Day Nursery, Birkenhead

Crushed cereal for babies to make marks with, frogspawn for toddlers to investigate and older children shaping their own imaginative games: the March 2023 picture of Little Cherubs is one of hands-on exploration. At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, finding a carefully ordered, ambitious curriculum that helped children become independent and make good progress.

Little Cherubs Day Nursery, Birkenhead accepts children aged from birth to five at 533 Old Chester Road. Settling visits are offered to every child, with extra visits accommodated when needed. That gives families a gradual introduction rather than a fixed expectation that every child will settle at the same pace.

Morning, afternoon and full-day bookings sit alongside term-time contracts, making attendance patterns a substantial part of its practical appeal.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: in everyday terms, play and interaction support learning alongside children's physical and emotional needs. Little Cherubs is also working towards Curiosity Approach accreditation, an approach centred on children's curiosity and exploration. This is work towards accreditation, rather than an accreditation already achieved.

In March 2023, babies explored crushed cereal through mark-making, combining sensory investigation with practice using their hands. Toddlers examined frogspawn as they learned about frogs' development. Older children contributed ideas to imaginative play and developed games of their own. These examples show different starting points for different ages, rather than a single activity delivered identically to everyone.

During that March 2023 period, staff planned from what children could already do towards what they would learn next. For parents, the useful distinction is between keeping children occupied and choosing experiences with a next step in mind.

Outdoor and Community Life

In March 2023, children spent time outside regularly, using the space to move and be active. Outdoor access added a physical dimension to the day alongside the smaller movements involved in babies' mark-making.

Co-operation was practised in ordinary situations that month. Younger children worked together on tasks, while older children helped friends, including assisting someone who was struggling to pour water. Reminders about sharing and kindness gave children concrete ways to manage life in a group.

Relationships and Communication

Settling visits are planned ahead, and their number can increase to suit an individual child. The value lies in flexibility: a child who needs a slower introduction can have more time to become familiar with nursery life.

Parents are included in their children's learning, with home and nursery relationships intended to support development. In March 2023, daily conversations covered children's activities, achievements and progress. These exchanges gave families material to build on at home, rather than leaving the nursery day separate from family life.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support effective, with the special educational needs coordinator involving parents and external professionals and sharing strategies with staff. Those are dated judgements, supported by specific working arrangements rather than a general promise of support.

In March 2023, signs and visual prompts helped children communicate, including children learning English as an additional language. Staff also supported children's understanding of handwashing, coughing hygiene and healthy food. Protection for children with food allergies and arrangements for managing conditions such as asthma formed part of care at that time.

Communication was also an improvement area. In March 2023, some staff relied too heavily on questions with limited possible answers, while unnecessary dummy use reduced younger children's opportunities to practise speech. Staff supervision needed clearer development targets and more precise feedback. Both points matter because adult interactions shape children's learning throughout the day.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 533 Old Chester Road, Birkenhead, CH42 4NQ. Enquiries can be made through the nursery's contact route.

Morning bookings run from 8am to 12.30pm; afternoon bookings run from 1pm to 6pm. A full day runs from 8am to 6pm, with a 7.30am start possible when needed. The earlier start gives families an additional option around work commitments.

Attendance can be across the year or on a term-time contract, with no retainer charge for the latter. Closures cover public bank holidays and a short Christmas-to-New-Year break, and bank holidays are not charged. Little Cherubs also accommodates shift patterns, ad-hoc attendance and last-minute childcare requests, considering arrangements beyond its standard times.

Funding and Paid Extras

In March 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation. Term-time families have the specific benefit of a contract carrying no retainer charge.

• Speech and language. The March 2023 improvement points concerned closed questions and unnecessary dummy use. On a visit, ask how practitioners now encourage longer answers and support children to communicate during play.
• Staff development. In March 2023, supervision needed sharper feedback and clearer targets. Ask how staff development now translates into changes in everyday practice.
• Settling and attendance. Extra settling visits can be arranged, and bookings include mornings, afternoons and full days. Discuss how the settling plan would work with your child's intended attendance pattern.

Little Cherubs suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as full-day attendance, with term-time contracts adding another useful choice. Flexible settling arrangements are a practical strength for children who need time to adjust.

The March 2023 examples give its learning a recognisable character: sensory mark-making, frogspawn investigations and child-led imaginative play. Balance that picture with the same month's improvement points on speech support and staff supervision when deciding whether its care and attendance arrangements fit your child.