Fairmount Nursery, Clarkhouse

Space drawings and a parcel bound for Scotland give Fairmount Nursery, Clarkhouse an outward-looking character: in April 2024, children explored ideas beyond their immediate surroundings through an expert's space presentation and correspondence with another nursery. These were concrete reasons to draw, investigate and write.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 30 April 2024, finding effective safeguarding and good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. It has capacity for 75 children aged three months to five years in Sheffield.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. The April 2024 examples make this concrete: sensory exploration with clay, communication through drawings and letters, and learning to share and take turns.

In April 2024, babies explored clay by pressing their hands into it, while older children consulted planet pictures and books to develop drawings intended to travel into space. A parcel and letters sent to children at a nursery in Scotland gave communication a real purpose, with children following their gifts' journey.

The April 2024 inspection described cultural food tasting as part of Eid and Lunar New Year. Outside, staff had developed a play area encompassing the areas of learning, giving children who preferred outdoor activity another setting for exploration. Children practised sharing and turn-taking through play and routines.

In April 2024, babies sought cuddles from staff and older children approached them for reassurance. The key-person role sat alongside staff knowing the needs of children across their care, so relationships extended beyond one familiar adult.

Settling began with a telephone conversation about the child before a first visit. At that time, families received daily conversations and termly progress reports, giving them both immediate updates and a longer view of learning. Room moves included information for parents about the next stage; staff also established links with children's forthcoming schools.

Health support in April 2024 included handwashing before food, daily outdoor exercise and drinking water throughout the day. Children ate nutritious meals, while families received guidance on weaning, sleep, childhood illness and reducing dummy use, alongside help finding dental care. Dentists also visited, connecting everyday health habits with people from the wider community.

The address is 5 Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield S10 2LA. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In April 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation is useful context for families considering funded childcare, rather than a promise about an individual child's entitlement.

• Learning for younger children. In April 2024, staff sometimes missed opportunities to take younger children's learning further through their interactions. This is the central improvement point for parents weighing baby and toddler care.
• Settling and communication. In April 2024, an initial telephone conversation, daily updates and termly reports supported family contact. At a visit, ask how settling and communication would work for your child now.

Fairmount suits families who value personal relationships alongside activities that connect children with the wider world. The April 2024 examples combine sensory exploration for babies with purposeful drawing and correspondence for older children. Its weekday opening window also accommodates an early start or later collection, while the improvement point makes staff interaction with younger children an important part of the decision.