Nursery at Farrowdale House School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A role-play café, modelling dough and a combined early years class recorded in March 2026 give Farrowdale’s nursery its character: practical activity within a school setting. This independent school in Shaw welcomes children from three, subject to toilet training and an informal assessment. At the March 2026 inspection, Nursery and Reception shared a combined class of 15 children; that is an early years roll, rather than a nursery capacity.
There is a significant care concern to weigh alongside the learning. ISI’s March 2026 inspection identified failures in supervision when early years children were eating. Families should make the action taken on this finding central to any visit.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together children’s communication, physical development, social learning and early understanding of numbers and letters. In March 2026, children’s learning showed progress in language, number work and physical skills, supported by staff training. Activities make those areas tangible: counting real objects, comparing lengths with rulers and practising letter sounds through repetition.
Play has a practical purpose. Early years children used a pretend café and ice cream shop to explore money, while a restaurant activity marked Chinese New Year. Stories introduced environmental conservation, and sharing equipment gave children practice in taking turns. These are everyday ways to connect learning with decisions and relationships.
Gymnastics equipment supports balance and jumping; painting, cutting and dough work develop smaller hand movements. On 6 February 2026, NSPCC Number Day brought counting, sorting and number games into the early years programme. The school hall is used for assembly, and the playground forms part of the collection routine, connecting nursery life with the wider school day.
Lunch comes from an on-site kitchen, with a two-course meal each day that children are expected to eat. Families must put medical or religious dietary requirements in writing so catering can accommodate them. For breaks, children can bring healthy snacks or purchase fruit and wholemeal toast. A water bottle is part of the daily kit.
Eating supervision. In March 2026, early years children were not consistently supervised effectively during meals by staff with the required first aid qualification. The required remedy was effective supervision by an appropriately trained adult whenever children eat. Meeting adult-to-child ratios in the combined class did not resolve this separate responsibility. Parents should establish how meal supervision now works before accepting a place.
Support for additional needs involves the SENDCo and class teachers. The SEND policy includes a sensory space, sensory circuits and individual support plans reviewed termly. Admission depends on parents and school agreeing that the child’s needs can be met; specific staffing or resources may carry an additional charge. For internal moves, teachers share information to maintain continuity of support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Farrowdale’s admissions policy anticipates children progressing internally, but allows transfer to be refused in rare cases because of progress or behaviour. Where progression is in doubt, parents should be informed by the end of the Spring Term at the latest.
Nursery attendance is not listed as an allocation priority. The policy instead considers siblings, registration length and assessment results. This is an independent school’s internal progression process: the school office handles enquiries and applications. The shared class recorded at the March 2026 inspection offered familiarity with Reception children, but it should not be read as an admission entitlement.
The school day starts at 8.45am, with early years collection at 3.30pm. Morning supervision begins at 7.30am; After School Club runs until 5.30pm and includes sandwiches and drinks. Families can pre-book the afternoon club by emailing or calling the office. Collection is from the playground, reached through the Crompton Way side gate, with children released to a parent or designated adult.
Charges are termly and include compulsory lunches. Eligible children’s 15- or 30-hour funded entitlement is credited against their account. Uniform is a compulsory extra; trips and After School Club are optional extras. Refer to the school for current charges. Full uniform is required, and clothing must be labelled.
To enquire or arrange a personal tour on an appropriate school day, contact the office on 01706 844533 or at info@farrowdale.com.
Early years admission starts from three years of age, subject to toilet training and an informal assessment before an offer.
The school day begins at 8.45am and early years children finish at 3.30pm. Morning supervision starts at 7.30am, while After School Club ends at 5.30pm.
Compulsory lunches are included in school charges. Eligible children’s 15- or 30-hour entitlement is credited to their account; uniform is a compulsory extra.
No. Internal progression is anticipated, but the admissions policy permits refusal in rare cases. Nursery attendance is not one of the listed allocation priorities.
The March 2026 inspection identified inadequate supervision of early years children while eating. Parents should establish what arrangements now ensure effective supervision by appropriately first aid trained staff.
