Opening hours
Monday to Friday all year round, 7.30am until 6pm
Furnace Barn Day Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2022)
Number of places
39 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2022
Local authority
Lancashire
About this day nursery
Furnace Barn Day Nursery, located in Halton, near Lancaster, provides high-quality care and education for children aged 0-3 years. 30am to 6pm, the nursery focuses on children's attachments and well-being, acknowledging the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional development.
Children quickly form strong bonds with their key persons and confidently seek comfort and reassurance from staff. The nursery provides a "zen garden," a calming space with books and resources to encourage children to express their feelings.
Children settle well, feel safe, and are happy, understanding routines and embracing activities such as yoga and singing. The setting was rated "Good" by Ofsted on its latest inspection on 4th October 2022.
The nursery has a designated Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) who works closely with children and parents, adapting the curriculum and monitoring intervention plans to ensure children make good progress. Children learn to care for their environment by accessing a large garden area with fruit trees and vegetable patches, where they grow healthy snacks.
This outdoor learning supports their understanding of where food comes from and fosters healthy lifestyles. Staff weave numbers and counting into daily activities, supporting children's mathematical development.
Children's curiosity is ignited through the discovery of unfamiliar creatures, enhancing their vocabulary and appreciation of the natural world. Leaders are dedicated to providing excellent care and education, ensuring effective learning sequencing and aiming for all children to reach their full potential.
Partnership with parents is strong, with daily communication and online learning journals providing consistent care and support.
What it's like
Children settle well, feel safe and are happy in this nursery. Leaders and staff focus on children's attachments and well-being, recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's emotional development. As a result, children form strong attachments with their key persons and confidently approach staff for comfort and reassurance.
Strong attachments with key personsSecret library for readingOutdoor learning and growing foodMathematical developmentCuriosity and natural world appreciationGood SEND provision for SEND
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Furnace Barn Day Nursery
Last inspected 4 October 2022
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 settle well, feel safe and are happy in this nursery. Leaders and staff focus on children's attachments and well-being, recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's emotional development. As a result, children form strong attachments with their key persons and confidently approach staff for comfort and reassurance.
Inspector highlights
- Children develop a love of books through regular story time and a 'secret library' where they can borrow mystery books.
- Children are taught how to care for their environment and where food comes from by accessing a large garden area with fruit trees and vegetable patches.
- Children's mathematical development is supported well by staff weaving numbers and counting into activities and routines.
- Children's curiosity and sense of wonder is ignited when they discover unfamiliar creatures, and staff enhance their vocabulary and appreciation of the natural world.
- Leaders have a clear intent to provide high-quality care and education for all children, ensuring effective sequencing of learning and aiming for all children to reach their full potential.
Areas to develop
- 1extend children's independence skills, particularly when they are capable of carrying out tasks themselves.
Inspection #10235988 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The nursery has a designated special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) who works alongside children and has positive relationships with parents. The SENCo helps staff to make plans to adapt the curriculum to meet children's learning needs, and intervention plans are regularly monitored with targeted support for learning gaps. Children make good progress.
Outdoor space
Children have access to a large garden area that includes fruit trees and vegetable patches where they grow their own healthy snack foods and care for their crops. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning.
Parent Reviews of Furnace Barn Day Nursery
5.0
(3)
Amy Bowers
4 months ago
Amazing place! staff are so genuine and my son has developed so much more snce starting here .I would highly recommend the pre school ! X
Read on Google
Andy Cruxton
6 years ago
Fabulous setting, dedicated and approachable staff. Two very happy kids thriving in their care.
Read on Google
martin neave
10 years ago
Awesome staff. Brilliant child develpment.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Furnace Barn Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: April 2013
- October 2022Good
- November 2016Good
- April 2013Good
Frequently asked about Furnace Barn Day Nursery
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