The Ashmore Play Hub

In October 2024, dough hedgehogs, autumn collections and community decorations gave The Ashmore Play Hub a recognisable character: practical play connected with the world beyond the nursery. Based at The Old Library in Wolverhampton, it has capacity for 35 children.

At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children attending then were aged 2 to 4. The strongest thread through the account is growing independence, from managing coats to taking responsibility for personal care.

In October 2024, the early years foundation stage provided the framework for children's learning, development and care: play brought together language, movement, imagination and practical skills. Children's collections of conkers and leaves prompted conversations about seasonal change, while shaping hedgehogs from dough exercised their fingers and imagination.

Outdoor experiences that month included making tracks with tractors in sand, transferring materials between containers and using balance toys. A garden spider hunt connected pretend creatures with living ones. These were concrete opportunities to explore, move and handle materials.

Community participation also featured in October 2024. Through Wednesfield in Bloom, children helped decorate the nursery's exterior for Remembrance Day, connecting an activity at the setting with a local community project.

In October 2024, key-person relationships helped children settle, with staff offering extra comfort when needed. Practitioners encouraged children to attempt coat fastenings and manage handwashing and toileting. Independence was practised in everyday routines.

Support mechanisms that month included gathering parents' knowledge of children's interests and starting points, seeking professional advice and putting individual learning plans into use. Additional funding supported children's learning and other needs. Homework packs and borrowed books connected activities at nursery with home.

Healthy snacks, conversations about food and toothbrushing after lunch formed part of daily life in October 2024. Children also had outdoor exercise each day. Staff used redirection when behaviour needed attention and taught practical safety rules around the slide.

The address is The Old Library, Griffiths Drive, Wolverhampton, WV11 2JW. In October 2024, the nursery operated during term time, with sessions running Monday to Friday, 9am to 3.45pm; these are the session times at that date.

Funded early education was provided for eligible children attending in October 2024. That eligibility condition matters when planning childcare alongside the term-time arrangement.

• Teaching challenge and language. The October 2024 teaching priorities were to stretch children's learning further and make fuller use of questions with several possible answers and unfamiliar vocabulary. These are the specific teaching priorities behind the Good judgement.
• Term-time planning. The October 2024 attendance arrangement followed school terms. On a visit, ask how today's session pattern and holiday arrangements would fit your family's childcare needs.

The Ashmore Play Hub's October 2024 provision suits families drawn to practical play, growing independence and involvement in a local community project. Its October 2024 account combines reassuring care mechanisms with clear teaching priorities. The term-time attendance arrangement at that date gives families a useful starting point for deciding whether it fits their routine.