Fairstead House Nursery Review

Bicycle obstacles, a hairdresser play area and songs accompanying water play gave Fairstead House’s nursery provision a distinctive everyday character at the June 2024 inspection. Children learned through movement, conversation and familiar routines, with adults helping them build independence alongside their early skills.

At the June 2024 inspection, the school’s early years section included four Nursery classes; its registered childcare provision catered for children aged 1 to 2 years. These are different scopes: ISI judged the registered early years provision outstanding during its visit of 18 to 20 June 2024. That judgement applies to the youngest children’s provision. Fairstead House is an independent school on Fordham Road in Newmarket, with the nursery forming part of the school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage connects learning with children’s development. At the June 2024 inspection, staff across the early years used observations to decide what children were ready to learn next, while books and adult conversation developed vocabulary. Children were making good progress across the seven learning areas. Music and foreign-language teaching began in Nursery, adding further opportunities to listen, communicate and participate.

Physical learning had a concrete setting at the June 2024 inspection. A secure outdoor area gave children space to cycle around obstacles, practising coordination while taking care around others. Indoors, a hairdresser role-play area encouraged conversation as children acted out appointments. Shopping activities introduced early ideas about money. Each gave a practical purpose to developing skills.

For the registered provision’s youngest children, the June 2024 inspection found water and ice exploration involving pouring, squeezing and scooping. Adults added sounds and songs to these experiences, connecting physical discovery with language. Trips to the local park and library extended that learning beyond the nursery. Songs also accompanied tidying, helping children recognise what came next and take part in routines.

A familiar adult matters most when a young child needs reassurance. In the registered provision, the key-person arrangements provided strong emotional security in June 2024. Children made repeated visits to their next room alongside their key person, giving them time to become comfortable before moving. This gave children a gradual introduction to a new room.

Care responded to individual needs at the June 2024 inspection. Adults recognised tiredness, hunger and distress, using rest, food or reassurance as appropriate. They asked permission before helping with nappy changes. At meals, children sat together, chose food and practised using utensils; dietary needs and allergies received careful attention. Food was prepared in manageable pieces, and washing with a flannel before eating built early self-care habits.

In June 2024, individual planning included children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with assessments shaping their next learning steps. Parents received continuing progress updates during the term across the early years. Safeguarding in the registered provision was effective, supported by staff knowledge checks, daily assessments of risk and fire drills each term.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the applicable admissions route and meet its deadline; choosing nursery should be treated as a separate decision.

The repeated room visits observed in June 2024 supported familiarity and emotional continuity. These visits did not establish an entitlement to a school place.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01638662318. The school is on Fordham Road, Newmarket, CB8 7AA. This places the nursery within the school setting, so families can consider the journey alongside their childcare needs.