Food
Meals are inclusive in full day, manager's special, and morning sessions. Afternoon sessions include tea. Consumable charges apply for snacks and individual meals if not included in the session.
Squirrels Childrens Day Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2023)
Number of places
93 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2023
Local authority
Rochdale
About this day nursery
Squirrels Children's Day Nursery, located in Middleton, Manchester, offers high-quality childcare for children aged three months to four years. Established in March 2008, the nursery is housed in a carefully converted Grade II listed Baptist Church, providing a unique and nurturing environment.
Open 51 weeks a year, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Squirrels emphasises the importance of a secure, safe, and happy childhood as a foundation for future development, building its entire approach around this principle. The nursery provides a variety of session options, including full day, manager's special, and half-day morning and afternoon sessions, with meals included in the session fees.
They also offer funded-only sessions and flexible options to combine funding with private sessions for eligible children. The dedicated management team is committed to making positive changes and ensuring all children receive the same level of education, with no extra charges for extracurricular activities or event days.
Our ethos
At Squirrels we understand that a child’s experience in their early years has a major impact on their future life. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up. We value this and build our whole approach around it.
What it's like
The dedicated manager and deputy manager have worked tirelessly to address the weaknesses raised at the previous inspection, resulting in great improvement. Children quickly develop close bonds with staff, separating from parents with ease and being ready to learn. Staff are good role models with high expectations for behaviour, leading to children being kind, courteous and respectful.
High-quality childcareGrade II listed buildingFlexible session optionsFunded sessions available
Pricing & funding
This nursery offers full day, managers special, morning, and afternoon sessions, with a discounted rate available for full-time attendance. Standard session fees generally include meals, though separate individual and daily consumable charges are applicable for certain packages.
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- Full day sessions include all meals.
- Managers Special sessions include a hot lunch and tea.
- Morning sessions include breakfast and lunch; afternoon sessions include tea.
- No extra charges are applied for extracurricular activities or event days.
Key facts
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 7:30am until 6:00pm for 51 weeks of the year.
Age range
3 months to 4 years old
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Squirrels Childrens Day Nursery
Last inspected 23 August 2023
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
The dedicated manager and deputy manager have worked tirelessly to address the weaknesses raised at the previous inspection, resulting in great improvement. Children quickly develop close bonds with staff, separating from parents with ease and being ready to learn. Staff are good role models with high expectations for behaviour, leading to children being kind, courteous and respectful.
Inspector highlights
- The dedicated manager and deputy manager have worked tirelessly to address the weaknesses raised at the previous inspection.
- Staff implement a balanced and sequenced curriculum across all rooms in the setting.
- Staff quickly identify children who may need extra support.
- Partnerships with parents are a real strength of the setting.
- The manager has taken steps to train all staff in child protection and safeguarding.
Areas to develop
- 1continue to embed the new arrangements for staff coaching and supervision to help staff raise the quality of their education practice to consistently high levels across the team
- 2provide more opportunities for children to have a go at tasks and extend their critical thinking skills even further.
Inspection #10283819 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
parents comment that they are 'amazed' with leaders' and staff's efforts to ensure consistent improvements in the setting.
they say that staff go 'above and beyond' for them and their children.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff quickly identify children who may need extra support. The special educational needs coordinator supports staff to design and implement targeted learning plans to help children catch up to their peers.
Outdoor space
Staff plan fun and exciting environments, both indoors and outdoors. Toddlers excitedly dig and scoop soil as they fill containers in the mud kitchen.
Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023
Date: July 2017
- August 2023Good
- March 2023Inadequate
- July 2017Good
Frequently asked about Squirrels Childrens Day Nursery
About the setting
Squirrels Children Day Nursery, Middleton re-registered in 2016. The nursery opens from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and one week at Christmas. The nursery employs 14 members of staff, 12 of whom hold an early years qualification at level 2 and above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY499184
- Registered person
- Squirrels Middleton Ltd
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Inadequate
Nearby day nurseries in Manchester
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Squirrels Childrens Day Nursery.
-
<0.2 miOfsted: Good
Middleton Nursery School
Manchester · M24 2DP
-
0.2 miOfsted: Good
Twinkle Toes Nursery
Middleton · M24 2RJ
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0.5 miOfsted: Good
Kids Planet School House
Manchester · M24 6DU
4.7(55 reviews) -
0.5 miOfsted: Outstanding
Boarshaw Day Nursery
Middleton, Manchester · M24 2PB
4.6(8 reviews) -
0.6 miOfsted: Good
Kirkway Nursery
Middleton · M24 1FL
-
0.6 miOfsted rating unavailable
Bee's Knees Nursery and Pre-School
Manchester · M24 2QA
4.7(13 reviews)
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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