The Old Library
Good★ 3.2 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Rochdale for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 17:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in August 2024. Open since 1989, with 70 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Rochdale
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Rochdale from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
OL12 9ERWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 15 August 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff have created a learning environment that oozes calm and tranquillity. Children feel safe and have a strong sense of belonging. They wave their parents off at the front door each morning and are eager to greet their friends. In the main, staff have planned an ambitious curriculum that keeps children interested to learn. For example, children relish trips to the local farm. They learn about the different habitats of animals. Children are keen to share their knowledge of the life cycle of a frog with their friends. Staff are good role models. They provide children with clear expectations for their behaviour. Children know what is expected of them and they behave well. Children show kindness towards others. For example, they cuddle their friends and praise them for their achievements.
Staff help children to understand the importance of healthy living. They provide them with nutritious foods and talk to them about the benefits of a balanced diet.
Staff support children to understand the importance of good oral health. For example, they talk to them about visiting the dentist and why they need to brush their teeth. Staff encourage children to be physically active. They provide opportunities for children to take part in ring games and an assault course outdoors. Children develop excellent physical dexterity and show high levels of endurance during their play. Staff promote children to become independent from a young age. Babies help to clean their own faces and wash their hands after eating.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to gain a better understanding of what leaders intend children to learn n strengthen the arrangements for staff's training and coaching to help to improve their practice.
- 15 August 2024Good
- 4 October 2018Good
- 11 May 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Old Library
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.