Oakdale Day Nursery

In July 2024, Oakdale Day Nursery's sensory garden, vegetable growing and weekly community-centre visits gave children practical experiences beyond indoor activities. In July 2024, children explored living things outdoors and babies practised animal sounds through sensory play. These are concrete ways to connect early language and learning with things children can touch and investigate.

On Oakdale Road in Wallasey, CH44 7HN, the nursery has 50 places in total and accepts children aged 0 to 60 months. At its July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with SEND, made good progress.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: the day brings together communication, physical activity and growing independence.

In July 2024, babies explored farm-animal toys while staff encouraged the sounds associated with them. Songs, stories and books also supported speech development. The emphasis was on giving children opportunities to hear language and try it themselves.

Separate outdoor areas gave babies and older children space for exercise. The sensory garden added fruit and vegetable growing and bug searches, while weekly visits to the local community centre extended experiences beyond the nursery. However, outdoor learning in July 2024 offered fewer opportunities for mathematics and literacy than indoor activities. Strengthening that part of the curriculum was the improvement required.

In July 2024, staff used conversations with parents to understand children's individual experiences and needs. SEND support involved parents, professionals and practitioners working together, with additional funding directed towards children's needs. Community links also included a food bank that parents could use.

Clear boundaries helped children practise sharing and listening, while staff supported them to recognise and express emotions. Activities exploring differences included recreating hairstyles, giving children a tangible way to explore their own identities.

Healthy meals and snacks were provided in July 2024, alongside encouragement to eat fruit and drink water. Children practised serving food, feeding themselves and managing personal hygiene, making everyday care part of learning independence.

Regular staff supervision, professional development and ongoing self-evaluation formed part of the management arrangements in July 2024. These provided opportunities to review practice and identify areas needing attention.

Oakdale Day Nursery's address is Oakdale Road, Wallasey, CH44 7HN. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In July 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation is separate from the decision about which hours a family wants to book.

• Outdoor learning. In July 2024, mathematics and literacy were less developed outdoors than indoors. On a visit, ask how these now feature alongside growing and bug searches.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window extends from 7.30am to 6pm. Ask which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your week, with a written quotation covering meals and consumables.

Oakdale suits families seeking weekday childcare across the year, with an inspection-era picture of hands-on language activities, growing projects and community outings. Its July 2024 strengths included practical independence and close work with parents; outdoor mathematics and literacy are the specific area to explore when judging how the nursery now meets your child's needs.