Down On The Farm

Farm machinery and chirping chicks gave babies something real to listen to at Down On The Farm in September 2025. The working-farm setting brought the natural world into everyday learning, with gardens and farm walks providing opportunities to explore beyond indoor play.

At its 19 September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found that children made good progress and judged safeguarding effective. Down On The Farm has capacity for 17 children aged 6 to 60 months, at Norton Brook Farm in Grafton, Hereford.

In September 2025, outdoor exercise formed part of each day, using both the nursery gardens and the surrounding farm. Babies took daily walks around the farm, listening to machinery and chicks. These were opportunities to practise attention and listening through the sounds of their surroundings.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, care and development: here, the September 2025 activities included stories, rhymes, counting and physical exploration. Adults paused songs so children could supply words, giving them a reason to speak rather than simply listen.

Babies also explored soil at a tray positioned low enough for them to stand beside it, with adults supporting their play. This combined sensory exploration with practice in balance and movement. Group learning needed more adjustment, however: younger children sometimes stopped engaging when circle-time activities did not match their development.

In September 2025, familiar key persons exchanged updates with parents at the beginning and end of the day, including practical support with toilet learning and language. Adults helped children manage frustration through comforting contact and gentle speech, while familiar routines guided transitions between activities.

Sleep arrangements followed routines used at home, with regular checks while children rested. Handwashing reminders and consistent personal-care routines also featured in the day.

Information gathered when children first joined informed their activities, but updates after holiday breaks were less consistent. That distinction matters: regular conversations about care did not always give staff the latest picture of children's interests and development when a new term began.

Norton Brook Farm, Grafton, Hereford, HR2 8ED is the nursery's address. It opens during term time, Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, and closes for school holidays.

In September 2025, funded early education was offered for children aged nine months to four years.

• Returning after holidays. In September 2025, staff did not consistently refresh information about children's learning and interests at the start of each term. Ask how these updates now shape activities after a break.
• Younger children in group activities. September 2025 circle time sometimes lost younger children's attention. During a visit, ask how group activities are adjusted for different developmental stages.
• Term-time attendance. School-holiday closures make this a practical fit for families whose childcare needs follow the school calendar; families needing holiday care must account for those breaks.

Down On The Farm suits families seeking term-time childcare with a farm setting. Its September 2025 day combined outdoor exploration, language practice and familiar care routines. The two priorities for families are how staff refresh their understanding of children after holidays and how group learning accommodates younger children.