Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

First Friends Day Nursery in New Milton

Ofsted: Expected standard·Old Milton Road, New Milton, BH25 6DS · Hampshire
Number of places
54 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2026
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

First Friends Day Nursery operates as one of Hampshire's most extensive family-owned nursery groups, providing care for hundreds of children across six award-winning locations. They pride themselves on delivering exceptional childcare through a dedicated team of highly qualified and long-serving educators, ensuring continuity, familiar faces, and trusted relationships that foster a sense of security and confidence in children.

The day nursery cultivates warm, nurturing environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired. Their approach emphasises learning through play, exploration, and a deep connection with the natural world, aiming to spark curiosity, build self-assurance, and instil a lifelong love for learning.

First Friends offers a holistic educational experience, incorporating specialised programmes such as Earth Explorers, Movement & Mindfulness, and Makaton. They also prioritise thoughtful food, encouraging healthy eating habits and the exploration of new flavours.

The nursery is committed to inclusivity, addressing Special Educational Needs (SEN), and fostering strong parent partnerships. They highlight their commitment to environmental responsibility through an Eco-Pledge and provide dedicated sensory rooms.

With a strong focus on parent satisfaction, evidenced by numerous five-star reviews, First Friends aims to provide a personal touch, ensuring that every child and family feels a sense of belonging and trust.

Our ethos

We believe exceptional childcare starts with exceptional people. In our warm, nurturing environments, children feel safe, valued and inspired to learn. Through play, exploration and a love of the natural world, we encourage curiosity, build confidence and lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and ready to learn, settling quickly into play with sensitive staff support. They benefit from a curriculum based on their emerging interests, enjoying activities like song times and stories that develop communication and language skills. Babies enjoy free-flow access to outdoor areas, and children develop physical skills and learn about their local community through trips.

Family-owned groupPlay-based learningNature & outdoor adventuresThoughtful Food ProgrammeMovement & Mindfulness Programme

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

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

Request pricing →

Key facts

Session types

Full day

Registered with Ofsted

2025

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Jul 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for First Friends Day Nursery

Last inspected 21 July 2026

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and ready to learn, settling quickly into play with sensitive staff support. They benefit from a curriculum based on their emerging interests, enjoying activities like song times and stories that develop communication and language skills. Babies enjoy free-flow access to outdoor areas, and children develop physical skills and learn about their local community through trips.

Inspector highlights

  • All children make steady progress from their starting points.
  • Younger children demonstrate growing physical ability and determination.
  • Older children show persistence and perseverance in their play.
  • Children make consistent progress in communication and language development.
  • Leaders and staff have high expectations and children behave well.
  • Staff are good role models and teach children the importance of being kind to their friends.
  • Children demonstrate a growing understanding of routines.
  • The on-site chef provides children with healthy, cooked nutritious food.
  • The nursery is under new ownership and changes have had a positive impact on children's learning.
  • Staff provide a nurturing inclusive environment.
  • Staff complete training to ensure their knowledge and skills are current to recognise and fully support children who face barriers to their learning.
  • Leaders work effectively with other pre-schools and liaise well with local schools to ensure seamless transitions.
  • Parents are very happy with the support and communication they receive from the nursery.
  • Babies enjoy free-flow access to the outside area and confidently crawl outside.
  • Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills in the large outdoor area.
  • Children take part in regular trips out into the local community.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should further embed the role of the key person across the nursery to help promote children's sense of belonging and attachment.
  • 2Leaders should further review and embed the routines at mealtimes across the nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff complete training to ensure their knowledge and skills are current to enable them to recognise and fully support children who face barriers to their learning. They work with other agencies to ensure children receive the support they need, implementing individual education plans with advice from other professionals. Leaders use funding effectively to meet children's needs, including those facing barriers to learning, ensuring steady progress.

Outdoor space

Babies enjoy free-flow access to the outside area, confidently crawling out to see their friends. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills in the large outdoor area, using scooters, bikes, and climbing frames. They also take part in nature hunts and trips into the local community.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

21 July 2026

Expected standard

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

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about First Friends Day Nursery

Nearby day nurseries in New Milton

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to First Friends Day Nursery.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more