Old MacDonalds Childrens Day Nursery

A working farm gives Old MacDonalds its character: children collect orchard fruit, grow vegetables, visit animals and play on bales, with woodland and outdoor play areas extending the day beyond the indoor rooms. Nature is part of ordinary nursery life here. The setting occupies the converted Manor Barn in Lund, near Driffield, and cares for children aged three months to five years, with 44 places in total.

At its 3 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. That dated judgement sits alongside a current offer built around outdoor activity, rooms organised by developmental stage and regular communication with families. The farm is the clearest reason to choose this nursery: it gives children practical things to investigate rather than simply a rural backdrop.

Rooms and Ages

Four rooms mark the progression towards school. Chicks Room, labelled for ages 0–1, provides a calm base for exploration; Ducklings room, for ages 1–2, remains within the baby unit and puts more emphasis on independence. The nursery's overall accepted age range starts at three months, distinct from the room's broader label.

Lambs room, for ages 2–3, introduces more predictable routines alongside imaginative and creative play; Calves room, for ages 3–5, emphasises responsibility and preparation for starting school. Those differences give families a useful picture of how the day changes as children grow, rather than four rooms offering an identical experience.

The indoor environments use ordinary, natural materials and retain a connection with the countryside setting. The converted barn is more than an address: it houses the sequence of rooms through which children move, while the outdoor spaces provide another setting for their learning.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, learning and care belong together: play, conversation, physical activity and growing independence all contribute to the child's day. Alongside that framework, planning starts with children's interests and the questions they want to explore.

In November 2022, children investigated measurement through a pretend spaceship, taking turns with a ruler and helping a friend hold it steady. Painting with leaves and exploring finger marks gave them another way to experiment. These examples connect early mathematical and writing experiences with things children were already interested in doing.

French learning and regular yoga also formed part of the experience in November 2022. These sit alongside the farm activities rather than replacing them. Their dated inclusion is useful context for families interested in learning beyond the nursery's outdoor emphasis.

Outdoor and Community Life

The nursery spends much of its day outdoors, including in wet weather. Its woodland, orchards and farm animals offer different reasons to be outside: tending vegetables involves care, collecting fruit connects growing with eating, and visiting animals makes the working farm part of children's experience.

In November 2022, children gathered eggs and fruit that the cook used in their meals, climbed hay bales and had space for running and hide-and-seek. Families also supported Driffield food bank and a shoebox appeal. Those activities gave community involvement a practical form, with children and families contributing beyond the nursery itself.

Relationships and Communication

Daily handovers, online learning journals and the parent app give families several ways to follow their child's day. The app carries photographs and updates, while journals track development and provide a starting point for conversations with the key carer. Two parents' evenings each year add a scheduled opportunity for discussion, with additional meetings when needed.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that the key-person arrangements supported children's emotional security, assessment helped staff follow their learning, and the special educational needs coordinator understood individual learning needs. For parents, these findings concern the relationship and monitoring behind the activities, rather than simply the number of things children do.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Young babies' sleep follows the routine discussed with their family, and the baby provision includes a separate sleep and sensory room. Older children are offered a rest, generally after lunch when attending for the day. That gives sleep its own place in the arrangements while allowing for different needs as children grow.

Staff hold childcare qualifications and receive safeguarding training; paediatric first-aid training is also part of the staffing arrangements. These are practical care provisions rather than a substitute for the dated safeguarding judgement.

The nursery cook prepares food on site each day, using farm eggs and orchard fruit, with menus changing weekly and being reviewed quarterly. Vegetarian choices are offered daily, and allergens can be accommodated, supported by staff allergy-awareness training.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Manor Farm, Lockington Road, Lund, Driffield, YO25 9TG. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, over 51 weeks of the year; bank holidays and a week at Christmas are excluded. This is a year-round opening pattern rather than a term-time calendar.

Booked sessions remain payable when children miss nursery through illness or holidays. Monthly payments are equalised from the weekly charge, and standing order or cash can be used. Families should account for that attendance policy when weighing the ongoing cost of childcare. The nursery's contact form provides an enquiry route.

Funding and Paid Extras

In November 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement, separate from the nursery's current paid-care arrangements.

Breakfast and snacks are included daily from 7.30am; nursery meals are optional, and parents can supply packed lunches. Families therefore have a choice between nursery-prepared meals and food brought from home. Current prices should form part of the nursery's written quotation.

• Outdoor days. Much of the day is spent outside whatever the weather, with farm activities central to the experience. On a visit, discuss how your child would take part and what clothing the nursery expects.
• Curriculum consistency. In November 2022, some practitioners were less clear about the intended learning, and interactions during creative play did not consistently reflect it. Ask how the team now shares and applies its plans across the rooms.
• Independence at mealtimes. The November 2022 improvement priorities included giving children more opportunities to manage everyday care routines themselves. A useful visit question is how children now participate in meals and other daily tasks.
• Funding arrangements. The November 2022 funded offer covered two-, three- and four-year-olds. Before committing, request a written explanation of the current entitlements, their delivery pattern and any food or consumables charges.

Old MacDonalds suits families who want a farm-based nursery experience, substantial outdoor time and a clear progression from baby care towards school preparation. The orchards, animals and woodland give that proposition substance. Daily handovers, digital updates and planned parent discussions also make communication a concrete part of the offer.

The year-round opening calendar will matter to families needing care beyond school terms. Balance those practical strengths against the November 2022 priorities around consistent teaching and independence during care routines. This is a nursery to consider for the way everyday farm life becomes material for children's play and learning.