Welcome to Fairfield Preschool
We are a family run setting led by Sharon and Will Shorthouse with a skilled, caring team. Fairfield Preschool has served families for almost fifty years and will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary next year.
Fairfield Preschool was named Preschool of the Year 2025 at the Nursery World Awards. The award recognises our leadership, the expertise of our team, and our deep community roots. We are proud of our history and excited for the next fifty years.
Children thrive here because they feel safe, known, and inspired to learn. Every day begins with warmth and connection. Our team builds strong relationships with each child, helping them grow in confidence, kindness, and independence.
Our curriculum is practical and creative, built on real experiences. Children learn by doing, exploring outdoors, cooking, building, caring for animals, and watching life cycles unfold. Stories and books thread through each day, sparking conversation and developing curiosity, imagination, and language. We enrich learning with immersive experiences, inviting visitors such as police officers, paramedics, firefighters, chefs, and many more. These encounters help our children understand the world around them.
We build healthy habits and independence. Children pour their own drinks, choose their snacks, and take pride in managing daily routines. Group times strengthen confidence and communication, giving every child the courage to share their ideas.
Families are our partners. We work closely with parents through open communication, workshops, and Stay and Play sessions, ensuring they remain connected to their child’s learning. Many describe Fairfield Preschool as an extension of their family.
Inclusion sits at the heart of our practice. We tailor support to each child and work with other professionals when needed. Our goal is clear, every child leaves us not only ready for school but for life, confident in who they are, and eager to keep learning and exploring the world around them.
Our staff are professionals who love their work. Most hold advanced early years qualifications and continue to train and reflect together. They feel trusted, valued, and proud to belong to a team that sets high standards.
We are based in the heart of Fairfield village and have strong links with Fairfield First School and local organisations. This connection gives children a sense of belonging from the start.
After nearly five decades, our purpose remains clear, to provide outstanding early education and childcare that is caring, ambitious, and rooted in trust.
We would love to show you why Fairfield Preschool continues to lead the way in early years education.
Warm regards,
Sharon & Will Shorthouse
Managing Directors
Fairfield Preschool Limited
Fairfield Preschool’s Curriculum Intent
Inspire, Challenge, Achieve
At Fairfield Preschool, our curriculum inspires every child to develop essential life skills, build knowledge, and grow in confidence and character. It nurtures curiosity, independence, and a love of learning that lasts.
Our curriculum Intent:
- To work in partnership with parents and carers to support independent, enthusiastic learning and help every child reach their full potential.
- To develop confident, creative learners who are curious about the world around them.
- To help children become resilient individuals who enjoy learning and feel ready for school.
- To build strong communication through language, conversation, and imaginative play in a vocabulary-rich environment.
- To promote health, happiness, and well-being in every aspect of preschool life.
