Grassroots Day Nursery

Farm animals give Grassroots Day Nursery a recognisable character: in July 2022, children visited donkeys and chickens and helped feed rabbits. Those experiences connected play with the care of living things.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, including the quality of education. The setting at Millview Farm in Hargrave, Wellingborough accepts children aged 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2022 examples included imaginative play, conversation, creative activities and growing independence.

A combine harvester provided a starting point for babies to explore toy animals and hear their names. Toddlers recalled how crabs move, connecting a conversation with earlier learning. These were small, concrete ways to help children make connections.

In July 2022, preschool children experimented with colour and patterns through painting, while toddlers pretended to cook outdoors with pots and pans. In the garden, children collaborated to carry and pour water, imagining a volcanic eruption. The farm setting supplied experiences beyond indoor play.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described work with parents on targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including pictures of facial expressions to help children recognise feelings.

Settling in received practical attention in July 2022: children had opportunities to become familiar with staff and their surroundings before spending longer periods away from parents. Babies and toddlers sought comfort from staff, and children helped one another during play.

Daily routines also supported independence at that time. Children collected eating utensils and cups, washed their hands before meals and received reminders to drink in hot weather. A sand timer signalled an approaching change of activity, giving children time to prepare rather than stopping play abruptly.

Grassroots Day Nursery is at Millview Farm, Hargrave, Wellingborough, NN9 6BE. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In July 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Preschool children also participated in decisions about daily life at that time, voting on a meal for the next day and choosing a book to hear.

• Babies' language. In July 2022, opportunities to develop babies' speech were sometimes missed. This matters for families weighing the youngest children's everyday interactions with staff.
• Solving problems. A July 2022 improvement priority was giving children more opportunities to work out solutions during play. Adult help should also leave room for children's own thinking.
• Settling into farm life. Animal care and settling sessions were part of the July 2022 experience. At a visit, how would settling and animal experiences work for your child's age today?

Grassroots suits families drawn to a farm setting and practical learning through play. Its July 2022 strengths included animal experiences, creative play and steps towards independence, balanced by specific improvements needed in babies' language and children's problem-solving. Weekday opening across the year provides the practical context for that choice.