Ofsted praise kicks off nursery’s 30th celebrations

“A strong culture of kindness, care and respect” is how inspectors described life at Fountain House Farm Day Nursery at Watton when it became the first nursery in the East Riding to be inspected under the new inspection framework.

The inspector, who visited the nursery on 12th December 2025, said the children form ‘positive relationships with staff and their peers and feel included in all aspects of nursery life’.

She described the atmosphere as ‘welcoming and calm’ which helps the children to ‘develop a secure sense of belonging and growing confidence’.

The inspector found the nursery’s location on a working farm enriches children’s experiences and strengthens their understanding of nature, animals and the wider world.

She said the children show interest and enjoyment in their learning throughout the day and make ‘positive progress’ from their starting points.

She praised staff for knowing children well and responding sensitively to their individual needs through consistent routines, close supervision and nurturing interactions.

In November last year, Ofsted introduced a renewed education inspection framework, which replaced a single word rating with a five-point scale – exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention and urgent improvement.

The inspection reports provide detailed feedback across multiple evaluation areas including leadership, curriculum, inclusion, children’s welfare and safeguarding.

Fountain Farm received ‘Strong Standard’ for behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, and ‘expected standard’ across the other inspection headings of achievement, children’s welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance.

The nursery met the safeguarding standards.

Manager Christine Martinson said she was pleased the inspector recognised the family feel of the nursery and thanked all the staff for their hard work and support.

She said: “We were the first nursery to be inspected in the East Riding under the new inspection standards and so we were a little unsure of how it would present itself.

“The inspector told us that they walk into a setting to find it at the ‘expected standard’, so we were very pleased to be given a higher ‘stronger standard’ as well.”

Christine said the inspector spent time outdoors in the woodland and play area and watched the children in the mud kitchen and digging in the ground, and observed the children with the ponies and the farm animals, noting how organised and caring the children are with them.

She said she was impressed with the nursery cook Sue Edmond and how she manages all the government regulations on what has to be provided for the children. She added that the inspector was pleased with the contact with parents and keeping them updated about activities, their progress and next steps.

It was also noted how well the children are helped with their transfer to school, making the change as smooth as possible.

Christine said: “The inspector said the staff’s working relationship was like ‘one big family’ and their commitment to the children and work was clear to see.

“It was noted in our strong standard how the children are helped to develop good behaviour and be kind, share, take turns with others and develop self-control of their emotions.”

In the wake of changes to the inspection process following the death of Reading headteacher Ruth Perry, Christine said the inspector was concerned with how she and the staff felt during the process but added that it was no less rigorous.

The inspector said the staff’s working relationship was like ‘one big family’ and their commitment to the children and work was clear to see

“Inspections are important to regulate settings to maintain standards, but this inspector was fully aware that as a ‘big nursery family’, we were pleased to be treated in the same way we look after the children in our care,” she said.

“I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work and dedication and to our parents for their ongoing support.”

The Ofsted report has been published as Fountain House Farm Day Nursery looks to celebrate its 30th year in business.

Work began on the nursery in 1996, with its opening in February 1997.

Christine, a former teacher, said the decision to open a nursery came from often being asked by parents about nursery provision in the local area.

Realising a gap in the market, she and her husband Neil decided to convert the former hay barn, which had also been a farm shop, into a nursery.

When it opened, it was the first farm-based nursery in the north of England and attracted national media attention from farming magazines and the BBC Radio 4 On Your Farm programme.

Christine said: “While I was teaching I often received enquiries from parents about nursery provision and so when we moved to Watton, we decided it would be a good use to put this building.

“We were unique at the time because when we opened we received national as well as local media attention and I believe we were the first farm-based nursery in the north of England.”

The nursery has prided itself on its links with farming and Neil – known as Farmer Neil to the children – has involved the children over the years with the animals on the farm.

Lambing time is always popular and the children also have the opportunity to help groom the ponies on site.

Christine and Neil said there have been many highlights over the years, with the annual trip from Father Christmas on a helicopter being one of them.

Neil said: “For six years, we were fortunate to have the Air Sea Rescue Squadron from RAF Leconfield visit the nursery, flying in Father Christmas to us on the helicopter.

“The children loved this occasion and those children at the nursery at that time still talk about when Father Christmas used to arrive by helicopter.”

The nursery has good links within the community and visitors often attend to talk about their professions or to bring new experiences to the children, such as when musicians from Driffield School & Sixth Form visit.

Being a farm nursery, Fountain House Farm has strong foundations in outdoor play and nurturing young children’s development through nature-based learning.

In 2000–2001, the nursery received a grant from the Woodland Trust to plant 12 acres of woodland, including a lake for pond dipping.

Working with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, staff gained the skills and knowledge to learn what to look for when pond dipping.

Christine added: “We make use of the outside areas every day and in all weathers and the children gain so much from it and are able to enjoy experiences they may not receive outside of the nursery.”

The nursery also has links with students overseas after sponsoring two young men from Malawi through their secondary education and training in a trade.

Updates on their progress are shared with the children, giving them insight into life in a developing country.

As the nursery celebrates its 30th anniversary, Neil and Christine are keen to hear from former children to find out what they have gone on to do and their memories of their time at Fountain House Farm.

One of the first children to attend the nursery was Olympic medal-winning dressage rider Charlotte Fry.

Christine said: “It would be lovely to hear about what some of our former children are doing now. I know many have gone on to further education and have gone into a variety of professions, and it would be lovely to celebrate their success with them as part of our 30th year.”

If you are a former Fountain House Farm Nursery pupil, please let Neil and Christine know what you are doing now by calling 01377 270164.