First Learners' Nursery

In July 2025, frozen dinosaurs, balancing obstacles and children managing turns with sand timers characterised play at First Learners' Nursery. At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found that teaching engaged children successfully. Practical exploration supplied the substance: an icy dinosaur activity introduced ideas about melting and evaporation.

Based at St. John Ambulance HQ in Folkestone, the nursery has capacity for 20 children aged 24 to 59 months. It operates during term time, making the holiday calendar an important part of a family's childcare decision.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2025 examples show how play can bring those strands together: children discussed what happens to ice, exercised their balance and practised sharing resources.

In July 2025, children assembled obstacles using crates and wooden planks, then worked out how to cross them safely. This gave physical play a problem-solving element. Tin can alley supplied another target-based activity, while sand timers helped children decide when to hand a resource to a friend.

Creative choice was less consistent. In July 2025, children could use art materials, but adult-led tasks produced similar finished pieces, leaving less room for individual ideas. Learning included Diwali, although opportunities to explore lives beyond children's familiar communities needed extending.

At the July 2025 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding arrangements and good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. A calm space gave children somewhere they could choose to go when overwhelmed, while additional funding supported resources for balance and core muscle development.

During July 2025, staff used their knowledge of children's preferences to plan engaging activities. Children washed their hands independently and understood why hygiene mattered. Communication also connected nursery and home: staff shared cutting activities for families to use when practising fine motor skills.

Management reviewed care and teaching with staff each day in July 2025, considering what worked and what to change. Training in speaking and listening informed the questions staff used to encourage children to explain their thinking.

The address is St. John Ambulance HQ, Broomfield Crescent, Folkestone, CT19 4DE. Opening hours are 8.30am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays.

In July 2025, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation is useful context for families weighing childcare costs.

• Creative independence. In July 2025, adult direction limited children's freedom in art activities. Look for opportunities where children decide what to make and how to make it.
• Learning beyond familiar communities. July 2025 activities included Diwali, but broader exploration of people's similarities and differences needed development. This matters to families seeking sustained learning about other lives.
• Term-time attendance. School-holiday closures shape the childcare year. At a visit, ask which booking patterns can accommodate your working week.

First Learners' Nursery suits families seeking term-time childcare for children aged 24 to 59 months. Its July 2025 strengths lay in practical exploration, physical challenges and support tailored to individual children. The balance to weigh is clear: engaging adult input needs enough space for children's own creative decisions, alongside broader learning about the world.