Peekaboo Waterside, located at Waterside Health Centre on Infirmary Street in Blackburn, underwent its first inspection by Ofsted in July 2023, shortly after opening its doors in October 2022.
In their report, Ofsted praised the nursery, stating, “Staff have worked hard to get to know the children and develop strong attachments with their key children. They know the children well and meet their individual and emotional needs effectively. This has helped leaders create a nursery where children arrive happy and eager to see their friends. They show they feel safe and secure as they leave their parents with ease.”
The curriculum offered by Peekaboo Waterside was described as “ambitious,” with a focus on using children’s interests to drive their learning. For instance, when children brought flowers into the nursery, staff encouraged them to paint their own pictures of flowers. Children also learned about different artists and details in famous paintings of flowers, fostering early artistic expression and an understanding of diversity in the world around them.
Inspectors noted that children were aware of staff expectations, leading to good behavior and an environment where children were “eager and enthusiastic,” with ample time and space for creative and exploratory play.
The nursery also received commendation for staff members’ commitment to professional development, support for children with special educational needs or disabilities, emotional education for children, teaching of social skills, safeguarding practices, and readiness for children’s next steps in education.
To achieve an “outstanding” rating, the nursery was advised to further develop staff practices in accurately identifying when to intervene in children’s play without disrupting their learning.
Previously, another nursery named Peek A Boo Childcare had operated at the same location under Peek A Boo Day Care Ltd. However, this facility closed the previous year, and Peekaboo Childcare Ltd subsequently opened the current nursery. The former nursery had improved its rating from “inadequate” to “good” before closure.
Peekaboo Childcare Ltd also operates a second nursery in Darwen.
