The Kindergarten

A toy bear and a shared scrapbook give children a way to bring family life into their learning at The Kindergarten, based at Fawley Methodist Church Hall in Fawley. In September 2025, children took these home and then shared their experiences with friends, making differences between families something they could discuss together.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding and found that children made excellent progress from their starting points. The nursery has 26 places in total. Children attending that inspection were aged two to three; that is a snapshot of the group attending then.

In September 2025, staff tailored learning to children's next steps, using assessments and conversations with parents to decide what to introduce next. The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the inspection-time examples included stories, imaginative play and sensory exploration.

Books prompted conversation. In September 2025, staff used story props, repeated passages and questions to build understanding, while younger children tried out unfamiliar vocabulary. A lending library extended reading into family time. Water and flowers offered another route into language, with children learning the names of materials and equipment as they explored them.

Outdoor play also carried a practical lesson. In September 2025, staff helped children judge physical challenges and use equipment safely in an organised outdoor space; older children shared their thinking about risks with others.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described sensitive support for children's emotional wellbeing. Staff acknowledged frustration when an activity could not happen immediately, explained the reason and helped children choose something else.

In September 2025, adults modelled helpful behaviour and children copied it, including offering assistance during a crown-making activity. Parents contributed information about learning at home and discussed next steps with staff, connecting what happened in the setting with family life.

The same month's account describes ongoing staff training and an activity reflection book. Staff used this to reconsider planned experiences, giving them a practical way to review their teaching.

The address is Fawley Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane, Fawley, Southampton SO45 1EB.

In September 2025, opening hours were 9am to 3.15pm, five days a week during term time. At that time, the setting provided funded early education for children aged two to four. These are dated operating details, useful when considering the nursery's term-time routine.

• Attendance pattern. September 2025 opening hours followed a term-time day ending at 3.15pm. Which current booking pattern would fit your family's working hours and holiday arrangements?
• Learning at home. In September 2025, the lending library and shared discussions about next steps connected home and nursery learning. Families who enjoy reading together have a concrete way to participate.

The Kindergarten suits families who value shared reading, imaginative play and close involvement in their child's next steps. Its September 2025 examples show how everyday experiences, from a travelling toy bear to outdoor risk discussions, became purposeful learning. For families seeking a term-time routine, the dated opening pattern is a useful starting point for the attendance discussion.