Fairfield Nursery School: Nursery Review

Paint mixed by children, clay ready to use and a weekly woodland session give Fairfield's nursery provision its character. Creativity is a practical part of the day, with an Atelier for exploring materials and a garden for outdoor learning.

Fairfield is a maintained nursery school in Accrington, rather than a nursery class within a primary school. Term-time places cater for children aged 2, 3 and 4, with both part-time and full-day patterns. At the October 2023 inspection, 59 children were on roll; that is a dated pupil count, rather than a measure of available places.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning, development and care together for children from birth to five. Fairfield combines activities guided by adults with play initiated by children. Its Image of the Child approach sets out the nursery's ambitions for children as communicators, explorers and creative thinkers, alongside reflection and resilience. Children's ideas are revisited, giving an interest time to develop into a longer enquiry.

In the Atelier, adults introduce materials and activities, while children mix their own paint and can use clay and its tools at any time. Experimenting matters here: children can test what materials do, rather than simply complete an identical finished piece. Arts Award Discover is offered to a selected group during their final nursery year.

Books and construction bring other learning into play. A collection of 26 core books has accompanying activities to deepen children's understanding of stories. Block play asks children to work out how pieces fit and how structures take shape, making mathematical thinking tangible. WELLCOMM checks children's understanding of language at the year's beginning, with further checks and individual activities according to need.

Outdoor space remains accessible throughout sessions, and the woods have a weekly slot. That gives children opportunities to move and investigate beyond the indoor spaces. In October 2023, children also enjoyed sewing, baking and painting, cared for butterflies and stick insects, and had experiences including a seaside train journey and work with a sculptor.

Key workers provide group times and a familiar point of contact for families. Transitions are planned before children start nursery and as they prepare to leave. Parents can speak with key workers after daily sessions, meet them each term to discuss progress, and see filmed moments that help reassure them about settling. These are useful connections between home and nursery.

Preparing snacks and sharing them form part of the routines. Family meals bring parents, staff and children together for breakfast or lunch. Parents can also join weekly group activities involving literacy and numeracy, so participation extends beyond progress meetings.

Development checks for two-year-olds involve parents, with health visitors brought into support where concerns arise. All staff receive paediatric first aid training. In October 2023, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described successful identification of additional needs, but also identified inconsistent adult interaction: some language gaps and misunderstandings were left unaddressed. Staff training to recognise and tackle those difficulties was an improvement priority. Language support. This concern matters for children developing communication; families should weigh it alongside the individual assessment and support arrangements.

Attending Fairfield does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet its deadline. Choosing nursery and applying for primary school are separate decisions.

Preparation for primary school includes planned transitions as children leave nursery. In October 2023, children generally moved to primary schools prepared for further learning. That readiness is about their development, rather than an admissions advantage.

The term-time booking patterns are five mornings, five afternoons or two full days for 15 funded hours, and four full days for 30 funded hours. Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Full days start at 8.00am and finish at 3.30pm.

All families with children aged 3 to 4 qualify for 15 funded hours. Working-family eligibility applies to the 30-hour provision for two-year-olds and children aged 3 to 4. Two-year-olds receiving certain government support can qualify for 15 hours. Children aged 2 who are ineligible for funding can attend on a charged basis until the term following their third birthday; extra sessions beyond funded hours are also chargeable. Refer to the school for current charges.

There is no uniform. Easy-to-manage clothing, grippy shoes and waterproof kit suit the activities; jewellery, including earrings, is prohibited. Enquiries go to reception on 01254 231589 or office@fairfield.lancs.sch.uk. Nursery application forms are returned to reception with the child's original birth certificate and any required eligibility evidence.