Marmalade Nursery

A garden pod for number puzzles and caterpillars becoming butterflies give Marmalade Nursery a recognisable character in its April 2022 account of daily life. Outdoor learning had substance here. At its 6 April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall.

Marmalade Nursery occupies 82-84 Lawsons Road, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 4PW, and has capacity for 63 children aged 2–60 months. The distinction between its current practical offer and its older inspection findings matters when choosing care.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday experiences support learning alongside children's physical and emotional needs.

In April 2022, children's interests helped shape activities. An interest in garden flowers became an opportunity to practise pouring and mixing with real flowers. Books prompted conversations too: a discussion about a shark encouraged children to explore different words for size. These were concrete ways to extend children's language through something that already interested them.

Outdoor spaces were used each day, whatever the weather. In April 2022, babies listened to rainfall beneath a shelter, while older children worked on counting in a purpose-built garden pod. Caring for caterpillars introduced life cycles through changes children could observe.

A cenotaph outing connected learning with Remembrance Day, and a visit from local police introduced helping roles. Children also learnt about Diwali through their friends. These April 2022 experiences brought the wider world into nursery learning.

At the April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children with SEND well supported and children making good progress from their individual starting points. Support included staff learning sign language for children with hearing difficulties.

Everyday care also encouraged independence in April 2022: younger children managed their wellington boots, older children poured drinks, and staff sought permission before wiping a child's nose. Small routines gave children opportunities to practise skills and have a say in personal care.

The family club offered parents support on different topics in April 2022, while live online play-dough sessions helped families continue activities at home. Leaders also helped parents communicate with other agencies, supporting continuity when children moved on.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with bank holidays closed. The Lawsons Road address places the nursery in Thornton-Cleveleys.

In April 2022, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Learning for younger children. In April 2022, some staff did not fully understand the intended learning behind activities, so children sometimes missed their intended aims. This is the main educational reservation alongside the Good judgement.
• Age of the assessment. The detailed account of activities and care dates to April 2022. Families should weigh that timing when assessing how closely it matches the nursery today.
• Attendance and funding. The nursery opens across the year and offered funded early education in April 2022. At a visit, which booking pattern and funding arrangement would fit your child's attendance?

For families seeking care across the year, Marmalade Nursery combines a practical weekday opening window with a Good April 2022 judgement. Its strongest illustrated qualities are purposeful outdoor experiences and learning drawn from children's interests. The reservation is equally specific: staff working with younger children needed a clearer grasp of what each activity should teach.