Springfield Farm Day Nursery

Hens, ducks and goats give Springfield Farm Day Nursery a character that goes beyond outdoor play equipment. In May 2026, children were learning about caring for these animals alongside exploring woodland terrain and spending time in a sensory area. Nature supplies something tangible to investigate and look after.

At its 6 May 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard across achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance, with safeguarding standards met. These are area judgements rather than a single overall grade.

The Charlesworth setting has capacity for 85 children and accepts ages from three months to five years. Its sensory garden, playground and outdoor spaces support an offer built around exploration, while an app gives parents updates on eating, rest and play. Full-day and school-day sessions provide two different attendance patterns.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines become opportunities to build communication, physical skills and independence. Here, the outdoor setting gives that work a practical context.

In May 2026, staff planned learning around what each child could already do and the next skills they needed to develop. They also changed activities in response to children's interests during play. That combination makes room for a child's curiosity while keeping a purpose behind the activity.

The differences between developmental stages were concrete. In May 2026, babies experimented with painted marks, toddlers created patterns using dough and powder, and preschool children added letters to their drawings. These were different ways of developing control and expression, rather than expecting the same result from every age group.

Language ran through the day. In May 2026, adults repeated sounds and short phrases with younger children, while older children encountered more demanding vocabulary with explanations. Storytelling also became more complex as children progressed through the nursery. These exchanges gave children repeated opportunities to develop their speech and vocabulary.

Outdoor and Community Life

The sensory garden and playground are part of the current outdoor provision. A forest school area adds opportunities to explore natural surroundings; in May 2026, children investigated scents, surfaces and shapes, as well as learning to move over uneven ground. Indoor climbing and balance activities helped prepare them for that terrain.

Animal care gave outdoor learning another purpose in May 2026. Children encountered the nursery's goats, hens and ducks and began learning what the animals needed. Looking after living creatures connects curiosity with responsibility in a way that a toy animal cannot.

Social learning also had an imaginative vehicle. In May 2026, a friendship bakery activity used dough cakes and ingredients such as ginger to prompt discussion about feelings and kindness. It made sharing and consideration something children could practise together, rather than simply a rule adults repeated.

Relationships and Communication

Familiarity mattered in May 2026. Each child's key person gathered information before they started or changed rooms, then used resources the child recognised to help build trust. Room moves were treated as transitions needing preparation, rather than just a change of space.

The parent app provides updates about meals, rest and settling, alongside images of play and outdoor activity. In May 2026, assessment information and progress updates were also shared with parents, with the frequency adjusted to individual circumstances.

Attendance support was personalised in May 2026. Staff worked with families to understand difficulties with regular attendance, and children returning after a long absence could have a tailored reintroduction schedule. For a child who needs time to regain familiar routines, that is a useful form of practical support.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefited from personalised play plans, while identifying further improvement in removing barriers to achievement and wellbeing as the next step. The positive judgement therefore comes with a continuing development priority.

In May 2026, key persons worked with the special educational needs coordinator and parents to assess developmental needs. Plans contained measurable targets and guidance for staff, and regular reviews kept families involved. Additional support funding had helped create an outdoor sensory area for children who became overwhelmed or needed help managing emotions.

Everyday independence received attention too. In May 2026, babies helped put toys away with adult guidance, toddlers practised hand hygiene, and older children took responsibility for cups and cutlery at lunchtime. These small jobs gave children useful responsibilities before moving on to school.

Fresh meals and snacks are prepared at the nursery. In May 2026, the chef adapted food for dietary and weaning needs, staff closely watched children eating, and sleeping children remained supervised with frequent breathing checks.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery opens throughout the year, closing on bank holidays. A full day runs from 7.30am to 6pm; the school-day pattern runs from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The shorter pattern gives families an alternative to booking the whole opening window, but its name should not be read as a statement about term-time attendance.

Getting There

The address is 34 Marple Road, Charlesworth, Glossop, SK13 5DA, in a detached building identified by its red door. Drop-off is directly outside.

Funding and Paid Extras

Grant-funded childcare is accepted, including 30 hours government funding. Additional daily charges apply to the funded full-day and school-day patterns, so funded hours and the total bill need to be considered separately. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Outdoor routines. Woodland exploration and animal care featured in the May 2026 nursery day. At a viewing, discuss how outdoor routines are adapted to your child's age and comfort with the animals.
• Funded attendance. Both full-day and school-day funded patterns carry additional daily charges. Ask for a written breakdown covering meals, consumables and any hours beyond the funded entitlement before choosing a pattern.
• Individual support. Personal play plans and sensory provision were important parts of support in May 2026, with further work on removing barriers identified as the next step. Families seeking additional help should discuss how targets and reviews would work for their child.

Springfield Farm suits families looking for an outdoor nursery day with a choice between full-day and school-day attendance. Its woodland setting, sensory provision and animals give learning a recognisable character, while app updates provide a useful connection for parents. The May 2026 area judgements offer a strong inspection position; the continuing priority is to extend the impact of support for children who need extra help.