Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Old Moat Childcare

Ofsted: Requires improvement
(May 2025)
·Old Moat Children's Centre, Old Moat Lane, Manchester, M20 1DE · Manchester
Number of places
30 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
May 2025
Local authority
Manchester

About this day nursery

Old Moat Childcare offers full-time nursery places for children aged three, with admission points in September and January. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum for nursery (3-4 years) and reception (4-5 years) focuses on creating a rich, safe, and stimulating learning environment both indoors and outdoors.

The curriculum is thematic and literature-based, using high-quality books to explore "Big Questions" and foster qualities like kindness and resilience. A strong emphasis is placed on developing spoken language through play-based learning and extensive interaction with adults and peers.

The nursery utilises the Little Wandle systematic synthetic phonics programme and prioritises developing a strong mathematical foundation through the NCETM Mastering Number programme, focusing on numbers up to 10. The staff are dedicated to supporting children in building independence and self-assurance, ensuring a positive start to their school journey.

The nursery is part of the Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLIC) Trust, which aims to enhance primary education in the North-West of England.

Our ethos

Old Moat Childcare's pedagogical approach is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, utilising a thematic and literature-based approach to explore "Big Questions" and foster kindness and resilience. They emphasise play-based learning to develop spoken language and utilise specific programmes for phonics (Little Wandle) and mathematics (NCETM Mastering Number). The nursery is committed to building children's independence and self-assurance.

What it's like

Leaders have a curriculum intent in place, but it is not always ambitious or effectively implemented, leading to some children becoming disengaged. While staff support children's love for books and build strong relationships, inconsistencies in practice due to ineffective training hinder overall effectiveness. Staff well-being is supported, but coaching and mentoring are not fully effective.

Full-time nursery placesPlay-based learningThematic curriculumStrong focus on spoken languageSystematic phonics programme

Pricing & funding

Nursery places are offered on a full-time basis. All sessions are completely free of charge.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
  • Full time place£0.00 / child

Good to know

  • Places are offered on a full-time basis.
  • There are no fees charged for nursery places.

Key facts

Age range

3-5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full-time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Old Moat Childcare

Last inspected 1 May 2025 · Danielle Kelly

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement

What it's like to attend

Leaders have a curriculum intent in place, but it is not always ambitious or effectively implemented, leading to some children becoming disengaged. While staff support children's love for books and build strong relationships, inconsistencies in practice due to ineffective training hinder overall effectiveness. Staff well-being is supported, but coaching and mentoring are not fully effective.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff support children well in developing a love for books and rhymes.
  • Staff have built lovely relationships with children.
  • Staff support children to understand the rules and boundaries of the setting.
  • Staff have established secure partnerships with parents.
  • Leaders use additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, to support children's individual needs.

Areas to develop

  • 1plan an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that builds succinctly on what children already know and can do
  • 2ensure the implementation of the curriculum is effective and staff are well deployed to support children to become fully engaged in meaningful learning experiences that meet their individual needs
  • 3develop more robust systems to ensure that staff training, particularly on health and safety procedures, is effective and promotes children's health and well-being.
Inspection #10393578 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders use additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, to support children's individual needs. Staff identify children's needs and put targeted support in place. They make timely referrals and work in partnership with parents and professionals from the local authority to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These partnerships help children with SEND to make progress in their development.

Outdoor space

Staff plan learning experiences for children that they know children will enjoy. For example, they look and talk about the bugs they find in the garden.

Inspection history

Date: November 2019

  • May 2025Requires improvement
  • November 2019Good

Frequently asked about Old Moat Childcare

About the setting

Old Moat Childcare registered in 2017. It is located within a children's centre in the Withington area of Greater Manchester. The setting opens Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5.30pm, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays. There are 17 members of staff employed, of whom 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting provides government funded childcare.

URN
EY550630
Registered person
Community-Minded Ltd
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

Nearby day nurseries in Manchester

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Old Moat Childcare.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more