Little Robins Day Nursery

Tyre castles, butterfly life cycles and sandwich-making give Little Robins Day Nursery's June 2022 daily life a practical, hands-on character. Children had opportunities to build, investigate and practise everyday skills, rather than simply watch adults demonstrate them.

At its 1 June 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes, effective safeguarding and good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The nursery has 64 places in total and accepts children from 3 months to 60 months.

In June 2022, babies explored sensory materials and practised new words, while toddlers experimented with water, containers and tubes. Preschool children made sandwiches, using spreading and cutting to exercise their hands. These were activities with a practical purpose: language, exploration and physical skills developed through doing.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2022 examples included connecting stories about caterpillars with watching butterflies emerge, giving children something real to observe alongside their books.

Each age group had a selected story through the book of the month programme, encouraging familiarity, joining in and retelling. Parents received related activity ideas, creating a link between nursery reading and learning at home.

Outdoors in June 2022, tyres became castles and wooden planks became bridges. A large climbing frame added physical challenge, with children following safety instructions before using it. Beach, forest and zoo visits also formed part of the experiences provided for children receiving additional funding; these were opportunities to explore animals and nature beyond the nursery.

In June 2022, children had been helped to build a supportive relationship with at least one adult. Settling sessions had been extended following parental requests, showing that family feedback could change the arrangements.

The special educational needs coordinator planned personal goals and reviewed them in June 2022. That gave support a specific structure around each child's needs. Children also participated in safety checks, while staff refreshed safeguarding training and checked equipment and play areas.

After energetic outdoor play in June 2022, children could choose fruit, pour themselves water and rest. Everyday routines therefore gave them opportunities to practise looking after themselves.

The address is Overchurch Junior & Infant School, Moreton Road, Wirral, CH49 4NS. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In June 2022, funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

Attendance at nursery does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Staff development. The June 2022 improvement action concerned strengthening professional development to improve staff practice. Ask how training now influences day-to-day work with children.
• Settling arrangements. Longer settling sessions were introduced following parent feedback in June 2022. Discuss how the settling plan would work for your child.
• Attendance and funding. Opening hours cover the working day, while funded provision was documented in June 2022. Ask which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your intended attendance.

Little Robins suits families who value practical play, stories and outdoor exploration. Its June 2022 account gives concrete examples of children taking an active role in learning and everyday routines. The Good judgement offers a clear inspection position, balanced by the action on staff development; the examples should be read as a picture of that period.