Brambles Figheldean

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are safe and secure in this exceptional nursery. They lead their own learning and are supported by highly qualified staff. Children are given the opportunity to follow their own interests and ideas.

For example, older children investigate how flour changes when they add water, observing the change as they add herbs and petals. Staff enrich the activity by introducing mathematical concepts.The staff provide a unique outdoor-centred environment, where all children enjoy the benefit of fresh air and an outdoor sleep space.

The extremely caring and nurturing staff slowly wake younger children from their sle...ep to allow them time to adapt and adjust. All children from a young age learn skills of how to stay safe around the campfire. Staff support them to cook their own snacks and toast marshmallows for special occasions.

Children have high independence. Older children recognise and meet their personal care needs, while very young children are encouraged to put on their own wellies and butter their own toast.Children's behaviour is excellent.

They have high levels of respect for each other. From a very young age, children learn how to be kind and considerate to their friends. For example, when young children recognise their friends are upset, they give them a cuddle and use words of reassurance.

Older children understand how to share and take turns. They negotiate with their friends to resolve conflict themselves and are sensitive of each other's feelings.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The management team is highly motivated.

They are always striving to improve their excellent practice. Staff recognise the impact that COVID-19 has had on families starting in the nursery. Their close relationships with parents identified that many young children have not experienced time away from their parents.

Staff attended training to support a smooth transition. Parents report this has been a 'lifeline' for them coming out of the pandemic with a young child. As a result, children settle extremely quickly.

Staff provide a high-quality, well-designed curriculum. Children are intently engaged and highly enthusiastic about play and learning. Older children engage in play, building a road for their cars.

They see a tractor drive past; they excitedly talk about the tractor and what it does on the farm. Staff skilfully extend this by asking questions to find out what children already know and talk about what else tractors do, deepening their knowledge. The staff's exemplary practice ensures children embed their learning, resulting in good foundations.

Children are then ready for their next steps.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have excellent care and learning opportunities, tailored to meet their specific needs. The passionate special educational needs coordinator works closely with other professionals, outside agencies and parents to ensure children receive personalised support.

The effective use of funding supports each child's learning.Staff foster children's love of books. They capture children's interest as they animatedly talk to them about their favourite stories.

Children listen intently and many finish the sentences before they are read to them. Children ask questions about illustrations within books, for example when they see an unfamiliar object. Staff use these opportunities to extend children's knowledge and awareness of the wider world.

Staff prioritise children's emotional well-being. The highly effective key-person system ensures children develop secure attachments. They have an excellent understanding of their key children's interests and next steps of learning.

Children are given the opportunity to explore their feelings. Younger children are comforted and given time to regulate, while older children are encouraged to talk about how they feel and why. As a result, children are confident and happy within the nursery.

The highly skilled staff provide an environment that is rich in language. Staff extend language using words such as 'scrambled' and 'poached' when young children make 'eggs' with play dough. They understand the importance of giving children time to process and respond to questions they ask.

A highly effective settling-in procedure is in place. Each new family receives a personalised video from their key person before they start, to ensure they have a familiar face on their first day. Staff work with parents to gain information about the children and develop individualised settling-in plans.

Starting points for children are identified quickly. Staff then provide children with superb learning opportunities to ensure all children make excellent progress.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff members have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and how to keep children safe. They are aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk. They understand the procedures to follow if they need to report a concern.

The management team have a robust recruitment process that ensures all staff have Disclosure and Barring Service checks before they can work at the nursery. Ongoing suitability is monitored through regular supervision meetings and good communication with staff. Risk assessments are in place and specific firepit training is provided to ensure the safety of children.