Fernbank Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Fernbank Nursery Ltd Lammack County Primary School, Lammack Road, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 8LH

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children thrive in this emotionally warm and welcoming setting. Staff give children lots of praise and encouragement to foster their confidence and self-esteem. They are good role models and have high expectations for all children. In addition, staff encourage older children to be positive role models and to help their younger peers. Children are eager to take on small responsibilities and show high levels of care and empathy for others. For example, when children become upset, friends respond with calm comfort, reflecting the supportive environment. This helps children to settle well and form strong attachments. Consequently, all children demonstrate a sense of belonging and emotional security.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff plan a curriculum that is ambitious and well sequenced, building on what children already know and can do. It is broad, engaging and responsive to children's interests and developmental stages. For example, during a small-group activity, staff use shape monsters to promote early mathematics, skilfully questioning children about shape names, sides and colours. They introduce more complex questions to encourage deeper thinking for the most-able children. As a result, children make good progress and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum for communication and language is a strength of the nursery. Staff use effective questioning and introduce vocabulary such as 'sequence' as they describe the colours of a rainbow. Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported to develop their language skills. Staff use a range of assessments alongside targeted strategies, such as visual aids and books, to ensure these children make the same progress as their peers. This approach helps all children engage confidently and make good progress in their language development. n Staff promote children's independence well. Children persevere when changing into their outdoor clothes, using fun strategies to put on their coats. During snack time, staff support them to peel their own fruit and pour their own drinks, fostering self-care skills essential for school readiness. Children also independently dispose of their leftovers in the correct recycling bins, promoting

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need to do better?

sustainable habits from an early age. n Children build their large-muscle strength through outdoor play that encourages safe risk-taking. For example, children check for hazards, such as water on slides and bicycles, and then use sponges to remove it before using the equipment. Furthermore, hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity are developed through activities such as baking, where children use a range of tools and their hands to mix ingredients. This helps them to develop skills for early writing.

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need to do better?

17 September 2025 n The nursery maintains strong communication with parents, supporting smooth transitions and early needs identification. Parents note progress in children's independence through consistent home-nursery strategies, including the use of a lending library to promote learning continuity. Cultural inclusivity is well promoted, and families feel valued. n The leadership team is passionate about and committed to helping all children reach their full potential. Leaders support staff by identifying key areas for improvement and providing targeted training that maximises the impact on children's learning, such as recent training focused on supporting two-year-olds. Staff's supervision and well-being are prioritised, contributing to high staff morale. n Children participate in a balance of child- and adult-led activities and generally show positive attitudes to their learning. During free play, they remain focused

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need to do better?

and engaged in their chosen tasks. For example, children demonstrate concentration as they sort coloured discs into matching pots. However, at times, group sessions are too large and too long for some younger children. Consequently, these children lose focus and do not fully benefit from the intended learning. n In the main, staff support children to understand the importance of good hygiene. For example, all children are taught to cover their mouths when coughing. Additionally, older children know to wash their hands after self-care tasks such as toileting. However, at times, staff do not consistently support younger children to deepen their understanding. For instance, although staff wash their own hands after intimate care routines, they do not consistently encourage children to follow these good hygiene practices.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n review the organisation of group sessions, particularly for younger children, to ensure they fully benefit from the intended learning outcomes n strengthen hygiene practices to help younger children understand the importance of good hygiene and to promote consistently good habits.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY372066 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10399495 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Fernbank Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01254 689899 Date of previous inspection 4 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Fernbank Nursery Ltd registered in 2008 and is situated in Blackburn, Lancashire. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff, of whom eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

17 September 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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