Fairfield Education & Childcare

Outdoor vehicles, a play kitchen and a large hall give Fairfield Education & Childcare a practical, energetic character. In January 2025, children used outdoor play for collecting natural materials and imaginative cooking, while the hall provided space for running, chasing games and dancing.

At its 14 January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support. The setting has capacity for 32 children; those attending at the inspection were aged 2 to 10. That age range describes the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care, bringing communication, physical development and learning through play into their day. In January 2025, activities built on children's existing skills, with teaching adjusted to their next steps.

Language ran through songs, stories and imaginative play. During that January, staff introduced vocabulary in small groups, and older children carried descriptive words into their own play. Children also shared resources, waited for turns and sustained their attention during activities.

Early reading needed more precise teaching. At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff taught some letter sounds incorrectly, creating misunderstandings, and required stronger staff knowledge of early reading. This is a specific teaching concern for families weighing the preschool provision.

Predictable routines helped children settle in January 2025. A shaken tambourine signalled tidying time, while children anticipated meals by washing their hands and taking their seats. These everyday cues gave them opportunities to practise independence ahead of primary school.

During the same month, staff joined children's games and acknowledged their achievements. Partnership with parents also formed part of the approach to children's learning and security. For children needing additional support, consistent approaches and shared goals shaped their activities in January 2025.

The address is Fairfield Road Cp School, Grove Street, Droylsden, Manchester M43 6AF.

In January 2025, preschool sessions ran from 9am to midday and from midday to 3pm during school term times. The setting opened Monday to Friday across the year, with its out-of-school club operating from 7.45am to 8.50am and 3.15pm to 5.30pm in term time, and 7.45am to 5.30pm during school holidays. Preschool and out-of-school hours served different needs.

Funded early education places were provided in January 2025. That establishes participation at the time, rather than a promise of an individual child's entitlement or place.

• Early reading. Incorrect letter-sound teaching was identified in January 2025. Ask how staff now teach sounds and how their knowledge has been strengthened.
• Attendance and charges. The January 2025 arrangements separated term-time preschool sessions from out-of-school care. At a visit, ask which current pattern fits your child's age and how funded hours, meals and consumables fit into the written quotation.

Fairfield suits families interested in morning or afternoon preschool attendance, alongside those seeking out-of-school care, reflecting its January 2025 arrangements. Physical play, language activities and predictable routines gave the provision a clear character at that time. The early-reading concern deserves attention when choosing it for a preschool child.