Butterfly's Day Nursery, Hammerton

Large indoor spaces, outdoor room to explore and a rural setting give Butterfly's Day Nursery, Hammerton its character. Based at Ainsty Farm Shop in Green Hammerton, it accepts babies from 3 months alongside toddlers and preschool children. Forest School is in development, so that element belongs to its plans rather than its established offer.

At its 2 December 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and judged its arrangements for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities suitable. The detail gives families a more useful picture than the grade alone: carefully managed transitions, everyday independence and musical exploration were strengths, while following children's ideas and sustaining their interest outdoors needed attention.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the December 2024 examples included stories, making marks, music and practical routines: learning took place through play as well as conversations with adults.

Musical exploration had a tangible shape. In December 2024, children investigated instruments from different countries and experimented with the sounds made by striking metal bowls with different objects. Adults introduced contrasts in volume and encouraged children to follow rhythms. That gave children something concrete to investigate, rather than simply a song to repeat.

Early literacy also extended beyond listening. In December 2024, adults supported sentence-building by demonstrating individual words. Stories prompted children to relate the narrative to their own lives, while chalk offered a practical route into early mark-making and pattern-making. These examples show how communication could grow through an activity already holding a child's interest.

Persistence appeared in a seasonal craft activity: young children kept working at paper-chain decorations until they understood the task. Everyday independence was equally practical. Older children considered suitable clothing for cold weather and attempted their own fastenings; mealtimes offered practice with cutlery and open cups. Small tasks gave children opportunities to do things for themselves.

Outdoor space is a substantial part of the setting, but space alone does not settle the question of how it is used. In December 2024, children practised climbing steps and using a slide, and hide-and-seek introduced counting and language about position. Some children nevertheless drifted between activities with little engagement. Families weighing the outdoor offer should consider the quality of adult involvement alongside the size of the space.

Careful transitions helped children become familiar with the nursery in December 2024 and build relationships with familiar adults. Encouragement mattered too: children received praise and support to make another attempt when a task proved difficult. These are useful examples for parents thinking about a child's first experience away from home.

Communication with families covered both learning and practical care. In December 2024, staff assessed children's development and asked parents about learning at home; families knew what their children were working on, allowing activities to continue beyond nursery. Procedures also covered informing parents about accidents. That combination connected the child's day with the information families needed afterwards.

Shared meals and ordinary routines provided opportunities to practise social skills. Children talked with adults while eating, began taking turns with resources and helped put toys away. Adults responded to behaviour according to children's developmental stage, supporting their understanding of emotions rather than expecting the same response from every age group.

Sessions and Attendance

The Hammerton setting opens from 7.30am to 6.00pm and operates for 51 weeks each year. That opening window is useful for planning the working day; the attendance arrangement is a separate decision. Private places, government-funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare are accepted at this branch.

Getting There

The address is Ainsty Farm Shop, York Road, Green Hammerton, York, YO26 8EQ. Access from the A59 is a practical advantage for families whose journeys already use that road.

Hammerton enquiries can be made by telephone on 01423 303308 or by email at hammerton@butterflysnurseries.co.uk. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Following children's ideas. In December 2024, adults sometimes moved past children's developing questions rather than exploring them fully. During a visit, ask how practitioners now allow children time to explain and extend an idea.
• Outdoor engagement. Some outdoor play lacked direction in December 2024. Purposeful adult involvement is an important consideration for families weighing the outdoor provision.
• Forest School plans. Forest School is in development. Ask what stage those plans have reached and what children currently experience outdoors.
• Attendance and funded charges. Hammerton accepts private and funded childcare. Before committing, request a written attendance proposal covering the booking pattern, funded entitlement, additional hours, meals and non-food consumables.

Butterfly's Hammerton suits families seeking a rural setting with substantial indoor and outdoor space, including those combining childcare with journeys along the A59. Private childcare and funded attendance both form part of its offer. The December 2024 picture was encouraging on relationships, practical independence and communication with parents, with clear questions about how consistently adults extend children's ideas and engage them outside. Those questions deserve as much attention as the planned Forest School provision.