Fernlea Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Farnborough for children from birth to 5, open 08:00 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2023. Open since 2013, with 40 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Hampshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hampshire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
GU14 9BYWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 12 January 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children demonstrate they feel happy and secure in this nurturing pre-school. They greet staff with a smile on arrival and confidently wave goodbye to their parents and carers. Children show strong relationships with their peers and quickly settle into activities alongside them. For example, they look through a book about reptiles and excitedly discuss the pictures they see. Staff show an interest in children's play and seize opportunities such as these to build on their existing knowledge. For example, children discuss why a chameleon changes colour and learn about different types of snakes.
Staff are positive role models and encourage children to think about their personal safety. For example, they calmly remind them not to run indoors and sensitively explain why. Children behave well, listen to staff and make their way outside to continue with their play.
Children confidently move between the indoor and outdoor play areas throughout the day. Older children show good independence skills. They put on their coats and change into their boots without support from staff. Those younger children new to the setting show high levels of self- assurance and ask for help when needed. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the support for children to further develop their understanding of mathematics n continue to build on the professional development and coaching of staff, to enhance their good practice and extend children's learning to the highest level.
- 12 January 2023Good
- 27 April 2022Needs improvement
- 7 December 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Fernlea Pre-School
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.