Country Kids Day Nursery Farndon

A January 2024 walk to meet donkeys at a local farm gave Country Kids Day Nursery Farndon a recognisable outdoor thread. In January 2024, children practised dressing for outdoor play and learnt to pause and listen before crossing roads, linking everyday independence with practical safety.

At its 9 January 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that its planned curriculum supported progress, including for children with SEND. The nursery has capacity for 30 children aged 3 to 60 months. That is the whole nursery's capacity, rather than the size of an individual group.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the January 2024 examples included language activities, managing disagreements and learning to dress independently. These are useful foundations for children preparing for their next stage of learning.

In January 2024, practitioners used puppets to introduce words to babies, alongside singing and actions for children to copy. Older children used language to explain what they needed. Activities were adapted so that children learning English as an additional language could participate alongside their friends.

Outdoor experiences had practical purpose. During that January visit, children put on their own wellies, while the farm walk combined interest in animals with road-safety learning. Staff also helped children negotiate sharing magnetic letters and encouraged them to persevere when something was difficult.

Settling began with visits and conversations about children's preferences in January 2024. Practitioners used those details to build relationships between children and their key persons. This gave the settling process a personal starting point.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff adapted learning for children with SEND and sought specialist advice through the SENCO, but identified weaknesses in both staff handovers about learning and exchanges with parents. Key persons understood children's next steps, yet colleagues did not consistently receive that knowledge when covering their absence.

In January 2024, an online system gave parents updates about food and personal care, including nappy changes. Information about development and ways to extend learning at home was less consistent. Daily care updates and useful learning conversations served different purposes; the latter needed more attention.

The address is Memorial Hall Playing Fields, Marsh Lane, Farndon, Newark NG24 3SZ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with bank-holiday closures.

In January 2024, the nursery offered funded early education to children aged two, three and four. That dated provision is separate from any family's individual funding entitlement.

• Continuity with a different practitioner. In January 2024, learning priorities were not consistently passed between staff. Ask how a covering practitioner now picks up your child's next steps.
• Learning conversations with parents. January 2024 feedback identified uneven information about development and learning at home. Ask to see how progress and your observations are exchanged.
• Funding arrangements. Funded early education was offered in January 2024. What attendance arrangements and additional charges would apply to your child's funded hours?

The January 2024 account will appeal to families who value practical independence, outdoor experiences and settling based on children's preferences. Its January 2024 Good judgement provides a positive starting point. The decision should also weigh how clearly learning information now reaches both parents and practitioners covering a key person's absence.