Fairfield Day Nursery

In October 2022, individual care stood out at Fairfield: learning plans, familiar adults and help for families beyond the playroom. At its 6 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received timely support and made good progress.

Fairfield Day Nursery has capacity for 80 children, with an accepted age range of two to 60 months. Its base is The Fairfield Centre in Worcester. The inspection account offers useful detail about care and learning, but describes practice in October 2022.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: play supports skills such as communication, counting and independence. In October 2022, children searched a sand tray for treasure, with adults introducing counting and encouraging them to keep trying. Preschool doctor play prompted staff to add dressing-up materials and props, extending an interest children had already shown.

Songs, stories and conversations helped children develop their vocabulary in October 2022. Practical independence mattered too: babies practised feeding themselves, while older children managed coats, bags and changes of footwear. These were everyday opportunities to practise skills useful beyond nursery.

Outdoor access was limited in October 2022. The improvement priorities were to expand outdoor learning around children's interests and make each child's next learning steps more precise and appropriate to their development. Reduced paperwork had given staff more time alongside children, but individual planning still needed attention.

In October 2022, settling sessions and conversations with parents helped staff understand care routines before children started. Key persons rocked babies and sang as they settled to sleep. Quiet spaces and visual images helped children calm themselves and express what they needed.

Individual learning plans brought parents and professionals together in October 2022. Additional funding paid for extra attendance, equipment and staff training according to children's needs; staff also helped families organise and attend appointments. Regular progress updates and shared strategies connected nursery support with home life.

Children encouraged friends' achievements in October 2022, including celebrating a completed tower. Staff supported turn-taking and manners at lunch. The emphasis was on relationships alongside practical independence.

The address is The Fairfield Centre, Carnforth Drive, Worcester, WR4 9HG. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and a week at Christmas.

In October 2022, session times ran from 8am until 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That describes the inspection-time arrangement.

• Outdoor learning. Limited outdoor access was an October 2022 improvement point. On a visit, ask how children now use the outdoor area and how their interests shape activities there.
• Individual next steps. Planning needed greater precision in October 2022. Ask how staff select and explain the next steps for your child's age and development.

Fairfield suits families who value close relationships, practical independence and coordinated support around a child's individual needs. Its October 2022 account gives concrete examples of that work, from settling routines to family appointments. Outdoor opportunities and the precision of learning plans are the two points to explore when choosing it.