Fairytales Day Nursery

Dough shared between friends, letters delivered to other children and babies working out where wooden balls will fit: Fairytales Day Nursery’s March 2023 activities put everyday play to practical use. This Barlborough setting accepts children from three months to five years.

At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. Two improvements were required: protecting toddlers’ story time from interruptions and organising preschool staff deployment so children received more consistent help with their learning.

In March 2023, babies explored wooden hammers, balls and pegs, moving surplus balls aside when the rack could not accommodate them. Toddlers painted sunflowers while staff discussed colours and shapes. Preschool children made letters and pictures for friends, giving pencil work a social purpose.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children’s learning, development and care. Those March 2023 examples show its practical dimensions: conversation, physical skills and problem-solving woven into play.

Books prompted exchanges between babies and adults, with animal pictures leading to sounds and responses. Toddlers’ group stories were less settled: lunchtime preparations created noise, and handwashing interrupted the activity. The issue was continuity, with routines cutting across opportunities to listen.

Outdoor play was part of each day in March 2023. Balls, ride-on cars and small climbing frames gave children different ways to practise movement and coordination. Preschool children also explored dental hygiene by brushing marks from pictures of teeth and talking about visits to the dentist.

In March 2023, staff helped upset children put feelings into words and coached children through small disagreements. Sharing dough cutters and asking politely for materials gave those conversations an immediate purpose.

Independence developed through ordinary routines. Babies fed themselves, toddlers practised serving food and pouring drinks, and preschool children put on coats for outdoor play. These were opportunities to attempt manageable tasks for themselves.

Safety teaching was equally concrete in March 2023: babies and toddlers practised using the stair handrail, while children helped clear spilled oats after staff explained the risk of slipping. Recruitment checks and procedures for reporting concerns formed part of the safeguarding arrangements at that inspection.

The address is 36 Chesterfield Road, Barlborough, Chesterfield, S43 4TT. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In March 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about a family’s current entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Toddler story time. In March 2023, noise and handwashing broke up stories. On a visit, ask how lunchtime routines now protect uninterrupted listening.
• Preschool interaction. In March 2023, the room layout sometimes left children with less adult help to develop their play. Ask how practitioners are positioned across the room.
• Attendance and funding. The nursery opens across the year and previously provided funded early education. How would a funded booking fit your intended attendance pattern?

Fairytales suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare, with a March 2023 account of practical play, growing independence and everyday safety teaching. The Good judgement provides a dated assessment; the two improvement points make toddler routines and preschool interaction useful priorities for a visit.