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Fir Cones Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2023)
·
5.0(7 parent reviews)
·Firs School, 45 Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 2HJ · Cheshire West and Chester
Number of places
35 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2023
Local authority
Cheshire West and Chester

About this day nursery

Fir Cones Day Nursery, located just outside Chester city centre, offers year-round childcare for children aged 0-4 years, operating 51 weeks a year. Though affiliated with The Firs School, an independent primary school, Fir Cones functions as an autonomous day nursery, benefiting from over 75 years of established educational expertise.

The nursery prioritises fostering a love for learning and cherishes the unique qualities of each child. Their core philosophy revolves around creating a secure, stimulating, and nurturing environment that celebrates childhood and strengthens the collaboration between children, parents, and staff.

The curriculum emphasises active learning, encouraging children to explore, investigate, and develop their own ideas, strategic thinking, and resilience. They also provide distinct learning environments tailored to different age groups: "Seedlings & Willows" for infants, "Saplings & Acorns" for toddlers, "Oaks and Sycamores" for older toddlers, and a "Prep" class for pre-schoolers.

Our ethos

Fir Cones Day Nursery's philosophy is centred on creating a secure, stimulating, and nurturing environment that celebrates childhood, fostering a love for learning, and strengthening collaboration between children, parents, and staff. Their curriculum emphasises active learning, encouraging children to explore, investigate, and develop their own ideas, strategic thinking, and resilience.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled at this calm nursery. Staff notice when children need reassurance or just a cuddle, supporting their play gently and skilfully. They are keen to learn and benefit from well-thought-out learning opportunities based on their interests.

Year-round carePlay-based learning

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

51 weeks of the year excluding Christmas week

Age range

0-4 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Fir Cones Day Nursery

Last inspected 9 October 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and settled at this calm nursery. Staff notice when children need reassurance or just a cuddle, supporting their play gently and skilfully. They are keen to learn and benefit from well-thought-out learning opportunities based on their interests.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and settled at this calm nursery.
  • Children are keen to learn and benefit from well thought out learning opportunities.
  • Children behave sensibly.
  • The nursery is full of happy chatter between the staff and children.
  • The manger provides staff with regular guidance and coaching.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen further staff's knowledge of how to develop children's independence so that children become even more capable
  • 2support all staff to identify more clearly the building blocks of knowledge that children will learn and why.
Inspection #10310743 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents said that they feel their children are safe when they leave them with the staff.

They value the regular information that staff provide that helps them to support their children's learning at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Additionally, some staff use sign language to complement children's early speech. Babies receive the very best of care from the expert staff.

Parent Reviews of Fir Cones Day Nursery

5.0
(7)
Imogen Clarke
8 months ago

We’ve been with Fir Cones for a few months and already my child is settled and happy. It’s so reassuring to walk into an environment knowing your child is being cared for with professionalism and love. We are so pleased we chose this setting for our child, the amenities are amazing, a beautiful setting to learn in and the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend!

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lydia mmatli
a year ago

This is an excellent school. Nearly two years ago, my daughter became a student and is happiest she has ever been. Excellent teachers and an approachable head teacher contribute to the success of the school. Often, you will see him joking and laughing with the children, which is great because it makes it easier for the children to talk to him when they need support. Honestly, this is a nurturing school where all students are encouraged to achieve their full potential. Every achievement is recognized, regardless of whether it is related to school or outside the classroom. In the school, you will find two very important individuals in reception. In my experience, the administration staff is friendly and and approachable. Being a parent makes you feel part of a community. School participation is not only for children, but also for their parents. When my daughter transitions to secondary school, I hope that the next school she attends will extend the nurturing she receives at The Firs. This year, I have observed that my daughter has become more proficient in all subjects than last year. However, that does not imply that there was a problem in the previous year. She started in year 5 last year, which was her first year at the school. Therefore, the level of learning was probably at a different pace at her previous school. As of this year, the main focus has been on making sure they have a thorough understanding of all subjects. They have completed the math syllabus, which is great. Currently, an emphasis is being placed on revisions, which is excellent because it helps prepare them for year 7. Due to the fact that she has already spent a day at a secondary school and has been able to keep up with the same pace as the year 7 students, I am confident she will do well in year 7. I do not regret moving her from her previous school. From my point of view, smaller classes have both advantages and disadvantages. However, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Your child receives the right support at the right time. So, they can progress more quickly and at the same pace as their peers. There is a genuine love and respect between all the children and they know each other by name. It may appear that their world is falling apart when they have a fall out, but they are able to resolve their differences more quicker than if they were in a larger school with a larger number of students in a classroom. It is a culturally inclusive environment in which all cultures and religions are respected and celebrated. As a result, children can be themselves without fear, which results in a higher sense of self-esteem.

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Charlie
a year ago

We sent both our kids here to the Fir Cones Nursery, it was a lovely place to have them. The environment was so caring and nurturing and the staff really brought out the best in our kids. With it being nestled in the heart of the Firs School, it was lovely for the nursery kids to see bigger children near by and take part in some of the school's activities - as well as use the amazing facilities the school had to offer. Such a nice place, highly recommended!

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Charlotte
a year ago

This nursery is very nurturing, staff are kind and know their children well. Small class sizes, set within a lovely garden area for the children to explore. Being on a school site means the nursery has access to school facilities and teachers. Music time is a great example of this. Clair is an amazing key worker. All children are unique and this nursery/ school celebrates and supports this.

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Carly
a year ago

Absolutely wonderful little nursery - the staff care so much for the children, the classes are small and there are lots of opportunities to do different things (like pottery, outdoor play and going to the library). My kids love it.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Fir Cones Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

9 October 2023

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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