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Play Alma Mater

Ofsted: Expected standard·
4.5(11 parent reviews) ·Play Alma Mater, 123 Long Lane, Oldham, OL9 8AY · Oldham
Number of places
50 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2026
Local authority
Oldham

About this day nursery

Play Alma Mater in Oldham, established in 2023, is a childcare setting for children aged 0-4 years, open Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00 all year round. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting its most vulnerable children, with a particular focus on their social development.

The setting effectively uses early years pupil premium funding to provide additional resources and experiences, such as a weighted blanket for a child struggling with sleep. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is securely in place, with staff understanding children's next steps and working with outside agencies to ensure they receive the necessary support.

Children who previously struggled with eye contact are now making progress in social engagement, and all children make steady progress, well-prepared for their next stage of learning. Outdoor play is a key aspect, with staff promoting physical development through activities like yoga and encouraging children to enthusiastically engage in activities such as making 'potions' with sand and water and exploring balancing beams.

The nursery promotes healthy lifestyles through balanced home-cooked meals and encourages independence during mealtimes.

What it's like

Children thrive in this caring setting where warm relationships with staff help them to feel safe and confident to explore their learning. They demonstrate curiosity and are developing the skills they need to have the best start in life. All children are welcomed and supported to feel valued despite their abilities or starting points. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are consistently supported to reach their potential and make progress.

Strong social development focusEffective pupil premium useSEND supportGood progressOutdoor play enthusiasmHealthy lifestyles

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 07:30 - 18:00

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Mar 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Play Alma Mater

Last inspected 4 March 2026 · Remi Stennett

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children thrive in this caring setting where warm relationships with staff help them to feel safe and confident to explore their learning. They demonstrate curiosity and are developing the skills they need to have the best start in life. All children are welcomed and supported to feel valued despite their abilities or starting points. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are consistently supported to reach their potential and make progress.

Inspector highlights

  • The setting demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting its most vulnerable children, with a particular focus on their social development.
  • Early years pupil premium funding is used effectively to support children's individual needs and provides additional resources or experiences.
  • Children who struggled with eye contact or joining social situations are now making short spells of eye contact and beginning to engage with their peers.
  • Children make steady progress from their starting points and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.
  • Children have a positive attitude to learning and secure and positive relationships with the staff who care for them.
  • The safeguarding standards are met.
  • Children are becoming increasingly independent, putting on their own coats ready for the garden.
  • Staff offer lots of praise when children do this independently, which increases children's self-confidence.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should strengthen and motivate children to develop secure, long-lasting healthy habits.
  • 2Leaders should continue to support staff through effective supervision and feedback to ensure that their teaching is highly effective and quality interactions with children are embedded.
Inspection #2750382 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is securely in place. Staff understand children's next steps and provide them with support to achieve milestones. Staff are aware of those children who may be at risk of falling behind due to their backgrounds or past experiences and work with outside agencies to ensure they get the support they need.

Outdoor space

Staff in the toddler room promote children's physical development through activities such as yoga sessions and outdoor play. Children show great enthusiasm for outdoor play and eagerly engage in activities, for example, making 'potions' with sand and water, and exploring balancing beams and stepping stones.

EAL / language support

The report highlights that the setting supports children who may be at risk of falling behind due to their backgrounds or past experiences, indicating an inclusive approach that would benefit children with English as an additional language.

Parent Reviews of Play Alma Mater

4.5
(11)
Liam Fieldhouse
10 months ago

My little girl has been going here for the past 2 years. When I tell you this place is incredible.. you'll have to experience it for yourself. All the staff are incredibly friendly, they all adjust to any child they look after, they are so helpful and also so easy to talk to. My little girl has learnt so so much here and they've helped her grow into the person she is today. When we first were looking for a nursery for her, this stood out so quickly and was such an easy choice to go to. If you need a nursery, this is the place you take them, you seriously won't regret it and you'll be thankful you read and followed this review. Thankyou to you all who helped my little girl grow.

Read on Google
Cheryl Gaudiano
a year ago

This is an excellent nursery. The staff here are so kind and professional. The nursery has changed hands so any bad reviews must have happened with the previous owners. All the staff genuinely care about the children and it really shows. They have gone above and beyond with their care of my daughter.

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Wemimo Matilda
10 months ago

My little girl attend this Nursery and I couldn’t be more grateful with the way she has turned out to be, she wasn’t communicating when she started with them but now I have got a chatter box 🤣🤣🤣 and she listens more now as well , the staffs a so excellent with the children and they attend to them according to their individual needs. Thank you so much, I am really grateful from the depth of my heart Aroyehun wemimo

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Pamela Forster
4 years ago

Both of my children attend Play Alma Mater, and I wouldn't send them anywhere else. The staff are all so lovely and welcoming, and both my girls love them. The activities that they do on a daily basis are fantastic and so creative. They also provide hot, fresh, nutritious meals that they both enjoy. If you are looking for the best nursery for your children, then Play Alma Mater is definitely the one. I go to work every day, knowing that my babies are well looked after and enjoy their time there.

Read on Google
alittlebitofchloe a little bit
2 years ago

Love this nursery. They have helped my son so much. He has definitely come out of his shell and he has made lots of friends.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Play Alma Mater. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

4 March 2026

Expected standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Play Alma Mater

About the setting

Play Alma Mater was registered with Ofsted on 16/10/2023. It is a childcare on non-domestic premises type of setting, located at 123 Long Lane, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 8AY. The setting operates Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00. Shaw, Sarah is the registered person and the setting is on the Early Years Register (EYR) and the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR).

URN
2750382
Registered person
Shaw, Sarah
Day care type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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