Practically Family

Inspection of Practically Family Greenbank School, 64 Heathbank Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 6HU

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This provision meets requirements

Children's needs and interests are at the very centre of this setting. Staff work extremely hard to ensure that children are warmly welcomed and feel secure and happy. Staff find out about children's needs prior to them starting and use this information to plan interesting and exciting activities. Staff use innovative ways to help children to settle. For example, prior to starting children are able to view an aerial map of the building, so that they can see where they will be attending and where they will be playing. Children build close attachments to staff in a short amount of time and demonstrate they feel happy and settled.

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This provision meets requirements

There are a wealth of activities that children enjoy accessing in a range of different environments. For example, children build with construction blocks in the school hall and enjoy art activities in the 'zen den', which is a large tent on the school field. The resources and environment are extremely well thought out and support children to explore new activities, have fun and make new friends. Children are extremely active and access activities that are fun and engaging.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff are positive role models and show a genuine interest in supporting children and meeting their needs. Younger children wear a bracelet to show that they may need a little extra support or encouragement. Staff have high expectations for the children in their care. Children are very respectful towards staff and one another.

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need to do better?

n Children's unique needs are met extremely well. Staff take into account the different needs of younger and older children. For example, younger children have the option of playing in a designated early years cabin, which contains age- and stage-appropriate resources, such as dressing-up clothes. While older children enjoy being challenged in the outdoors as they take part in obstacle courses. All children access a wide range of resources and activities to support their interests. n Opportunities for children to develop their physical skills is a key strength of the setting. Younger children enjoy 'walking like a penguin' as they learn how to dribble a football as they gain early football skills. Older children enjoy further challenge through taking part in team games, which encourage them to jump, balance and build their coordination skills. Children show they are resilient as they keep trying and demonstrate high levels of confidence.

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need to do better?

n The ethos of the setting places children at the very centre of the provision. Children's ideas are actively sought to support with planning and inform improvements. Children's ideas are turned into activities they enjoy, such as talent shows, taking part in bake offs and enjoying time on inflatables in the

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need to do better?

22 July 2025 outdoors. Children are beginning to understand their opinions and ideas are important. n Children show high levels of engagement. For example, children are split into two teams and work together using a range of creative art materials to make a protective shield around an egg. The egg is then dropped from a great height to see if it remains unbroken. Children's excitement fills the air as they anticipate which team will win the challenge. Children learn the value of sharing ideas and working together as a team. n Healthy lifestyles are promoted at the setting. Children ensure they wash their hands before eating and are reminded to keep hydrated throughout the day. They access the outdoors every day and enjoy lots of physical activities. Children are supported to understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. n Partnerships with parents are very good. All parents are greeted by staff as they

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need to do better?

collect their child and given information about their child's day. Staff share lots of information with parents and actively work on their feedback to make constant improvements. Staff work closely with parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to understand everyone's unique needs. Parents state that 'staff are wonderful' and that 'everyone works hard to create special days for the children'. n Leadership and management are very strong. Leaders are very proactive in ensuring new staff are settled and work as part of a close-knit team. Expectations for staff are very clear and leaders have high aspirations for all staff and children in their care. All staff attend training in safeguarding, first aid and food hygiene as part of their induction process. Staff state that they feel supported and appreciate the time leaders spend in developing a whole team approach. This shared vision meets the needs of all children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2759740 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10402789 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

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inspection

Total number of places 105 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Practically Family Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07581156684 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Practically Family registered in 2023 and operates from Greenbank School in Cheadle Hulme. The setting employs 38 members of childcare staff. Of these four staff hold qualified teacher status, five hold childcare qualifications at level 3 and above, and the remaining staff are unqualified. The club opens from Monday to Friday during holiday periods, from 8am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager spoke to the inspector about how staff support and care for children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the setting. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the setting manager and staff team about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector read feedback comments from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

22 July 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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