Business Details
37 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care & After-School Services in Horwich
Established in 1989, Croft House Children's Nursery has provided exceptional early years education and childcare in Horwich, Bolton. Our purpose-built facility, relocated in 2018, combines a homely atmosphere with innovative learning practices. Led by Janet Lomax-Baker, a qualified Early Years Teacher with extensive sector experience, we prioritise individualised care and outdoor learning through Forest School sessions. Our team of dedicated professionals ensures children aged six weeks to 11 years develop in a safe, stimulating environment. Situated near parkland, we leverage local woodland areas for experiential learning while maintaining strong community ties through partnerships with Horwich Parish CE Primary School. With an Ofsted Outstanding rating and 5* Food Hygiene Rating, we combine rigorous standards with warm, personalised attention.Our approach integrates structured educational programmes with flexible care solutions, including breakfast club and holiday provision. Over three decades, we've nurtured generations of children, preparing them for school through balanced curriculum delivery and emotional support. Testimonials consistently highlight our staff's expertise, the nurturing environment, and exceptional preparation for formal education. We maintain transparent communication with parents through regular updates and collaborative safeguarding practices. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures facilities and methodologies remain at the forefront of early years education.
Services
Children's Nursery
Before & After School Care
Holiday Club
Forest School Sessions
Parent Support
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years' experience in early years education with Forest School expertise
- Our staff maintain 5* Food Hygiene Rating Scheme compliance
- We provide individualised learning plans tailored to each child's needs
- Our purpose-built facility combines 'small enough to care' ethos with modern resources
- We guarantee seamless transition to primary school with teacher collaboration
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Exceptional staff
Outdoor learning benefits
Homely environment
Forest School sessions
School readiness preparation
Services
Children's Nursery
Our nursery provides full-day care for children aged six weeks to five years, combining structured learning with free play in a purpose-built facility. We implement individualised development plans aligned with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements while maintaining a homely atmosphere. The programme includes Forest School sessions, sensory play areas, and nutritious meal provision prepared to 5* hygiene standards.
Before & After School Care
This service supports Horwich Parish CE Primary School families with care from 7:30am until school start and after school until 6:00pm. Children enjoy breakfast provision, supervised homework help, creative activities, and outdoor play in designated age-specific areas. Our staff ensure safe transportation to and from school with rigorous road safety protocols.
Holiday Club
Available to all primary school children regardless of school attendance, our holiday club operates during school breaks. The programme features themed activities, outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, and supervised play in secure, purpose-dedicated spaces. Sessions run from 7:30am to 6:00pm with flexible booking options for working parents.
Forest School Sessions
Qualified leaders deliver weekly Forest School sessions focusing on nature-based learning. Children engage in woodland exploration, environmental awareness activities, and risk-assessed outdoor challenges. These sessions develop physical coordination, problem-solving skills, and environmental stewardship through hands-on experiences in local parkland and woodland areas.
Parent Support
We provide comprehensive parent communication through daily updates, termly progress reports, and collaborative planning meetings. Parents access resources via our knowledge hub, receive guidance on home learning activities, and benefit from transition support when moving to primary school. Regular feedback opportunities ensure continuous service improvement aligned with family needs.
People
Janet Lomax-Baker
Director & Early Years Teacher
With a B.Ed. (Hons) and M.A. in Nursery Management, Janet has over 30 years' experience in early years education. She established Croft House Nursery in 1989 and leads its pedagogical approach, combining academic expertise with practical childcare experience. Her leadership maintains Ofsted Outstanding status and drives continuous facility improvements.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children aged six weeks to five years in our nursery and provide after-school care for primary school children up to age 11.
Is your nursery Ofsted registered?
Yes, we're Ofsted-registered with an Outstanding rating, reflecting our commitment to exceeding early years education standards through qualified staff and robust safeguarding.
What outdoor learning opportunities exist?
Our Forest School programme offers weekly woodland sessions with qualified leaders, complemented by extensive outdoor play areas featuring natural elements and structured learning activities.
How do you support school transitions?
We collaborate with local schools for observation visits, share development records with teachers, and prepare children through uniform familiarisation and structured readiness activities.
What safety measures are in place?
We maintain rigorous safeguarding protocols including DBS-checked staff, secure premises with controlled access, and verified collection procedures requiring pre-agreed passwords for alternative pick-ups.
How can parents stay informed?
We provide daily updates through our communication system, termly progress reports, and regular parent-teacher meetings. Our knowledge hub offers childcare resources and event notifications.
