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The Firs Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2024)
·
5.0(9 parent reviews) ·Chartham Primary School, Shalmsford Street, Canterbury, CT4 7QN · Kent
Number of places
40 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2024
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

The Firs Nursery, situated in Canterbury, offers a nurturing environment within the grounds of Chartham Primary School. With over 30 years of experience, this charity-run nursery caters to children aged 0 to 5, striving to foster each child's full potential.

The nursery prides itself on an inclusive ethos, acknowledging the uniqueness of every child and family. Children benefit from a woodland setting, allowing for extensive outdoor exploration and learning about nature.

Our ethos

The Firs Nursery is committed to an inclusive ethos, recognising the uniqueness of every child and family. They aim to foster each child's full potential by offering opportunities for outdoor exploration in a woodland setting and supporting the development of independence and resilience.

What it's like

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly, welcoming nursery. The woodland setting is extremely inviting, and children enjoy observing the birds and exploring the wildlife nearby. Staff offer children many experiences to support all areas of learning, including forest-school activity sessions.

Woodland settingOutdoor playOn-site diningLocated in primary school groundsCharity-run

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged per session across five daily session blocks. Rates are structured according to whether the child is under or over two years old. Funding can be applied to all sessions except Session 3, which includes a hot meal.

Good to know

  • Rates are effective from April 2026.
  • Government funding cannot be used for Session 3.
  • Session 3 includes the cost of staffing, a hot dinner, and dessert.
  • A £20 late payment fee is applied to invoices outstanding 1 day after the due date.
  • A £20 late collection fee applies if a child is collected 15 minutes after their session ends.

Key facts

Session types

Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4, Session 5

Food

Hot dinner and dessert included in session 3. Home-cooked meals.

Opening hours

7:45am to 5:30pm, term time only

Age range

0 to 5 years old

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

1994

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Firs Nursery

Last inspected 10 January 2024

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 thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly, welcoming nursery. The woodland setting is extremely inviting, and children enjoy observing the birds and exploring the wildlife nearby. Staff offer children many experiences to support all areas of learning, including forest-school activity sessions.

Inspector highlights

  • Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly, welcoming nursery.
  • The woodland setting is extremely inviting, and children enjoy observing the birds and exploring the wildlife nearby.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported particularly well.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong, and staff establish a firm relationship with families from the outset.
  • Leaders support staff well, discussing work and training needs, and regularly refreshing their understanding of child protection and safeguarding.

Areas to develop

  • 1review and improve the organisation of group times to consistently meet the needs of all children and to ensure the best possible engagement
  • 2strengthen opportunities for children to learn about diversity in their community and the wider world.
Inspection #10303539 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say they feel well informed and involved in their child's experiences within the nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported particularly well. The special educational needs coordinator is confident in her role and works effectively with parents, staff, and other external professionals to ensure children receive swift help. Support is put in place to help children work towards achievable targets, and activities are planned to implement these, helping children make good progress and feel included.

Outdoor space

The woodland setting is extremely inviting, and children enjoy observing the birds and exploring the wildlife nearby. This feature provides a great start to the day and helps to ignite children's interests and curiosity. Children join in with the teaching of forest-school activity sessions, where staff help them learn independence skills and develop a sense of belonging.

Parent Reviews of The Firs Nursery

5.0
(9)
Jayne Nottage
2 years ago

We couldn't be happier with The Firs Nursery. It has been the perfect nursery setting for our lively, outdoor loving, active little boy. The outside space is brilliant, with mud kitchens, reading nooks, and creative spaces galore. Thank you to the Emily and her team who all work incredibly hard and are dedicated to making the nursery the best it can possibly be. We are so blessed to have this nursery nearby.

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Monet Hall
5 years ago

I can not praise The First nursery or their staff enough! My little girl has come out of her shell, started showing her personality and loves going to nursery everyday, she's made friends, improved on her speech and language and even sings us nursery rhymes at home! Most of all the care and attention given to the children is outstanding, we are so pleased we chose The Firs nursery and will be sending our youngest to the nursery next year

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Rachel Labrosciano
5 years ago

After sending 2 children to The Firs Nursery we have been extremely impressed with the care and engagement of the staff who my children love and we have had excellent communication with throughout. I can highly recommend this nursery, surrounded by trees the children are given fantastic opportunties for outdoor learning and my children have always loved going.

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Alex Payne
4 years ago

The staff are first rate at Firs, very engaging and friendly. Our child always comes out super happy and enjoys their time that day. The setting, activities and facilities are great. So much to do there. Always sending pics of our child doing different activities, playing and going on walks with the other children. Would definitely recommend!

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Sarah Wild
5 years ago

Our child is at The Firs, and it has been a wonderful experience. The staff are welcoming and engaged, and there is a strong focus on outdoor learning. Our child comes home every day with new ideas and words, excited to tell us about what they have been doing. We are kept up-to-date with what is happening with our child, and the teachers are always available to discuss progress, concerns, etc.

Read on Google

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Inspection history

Ofsted records show this provider has closed and was never graded. There's no inspection history to display.

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