Coneygarth Farm Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

There are unique and exceptional opportunities for children to explore the natural world at this friendly and inclusive nursery.

Children learn first hand about nature, seasons, weather and animals through activities in the working farm where the nursery is based. They explore the bales of straw, take turns to splash in puddles with their wellington boots and talk about the strength of the wind. Children help care for smaller animals by preparing and chopping vegetables and salad to feed them.

They take turns to hold and stroke the animals. There is a very strong focus on helping each other and children's behavi...our is outstanding. Displays and reminders from staff teach children to be kind and respectful to others.

Children are very happy, settled and emotionally secure.Staff have very high expectations of all the children in their care. Children benefit greatly from a range of highly exciting, stimulating and challenging activities and experiences.

For example, children make potions together using fresh herbs, flowers and scents. Children are totally engrossed in this activity. They explore using their senses and are fascinated by the textures and smells.

Children learn how to cooperate and share the ingredients and resources on offer.

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

Support for children's personal development is outstanding. Excellent opportunities for children to access fresh air, exercise, and natural surroundings contribute highly to their emotional and physical development and well-being.

Children are curious, engaged and eager to learn. For example, babies use their senses and whole bodies as they splash enthusiastically with bubbles in the water tray. Children keep on trying if their ideas do not go to plan.

For example, children persist as they pour water from one container to another. They focus intently as they successfully stack wood and stones into towers.Support for children's developing communication and language skills is excellent.

Staff extend children's sentences and ask them questions that encourage detailed replies. This helps extend their vocabulary further. For example, they ask children the reason for the bull's nose ring during their visit to the cowshed.

Children's mathematical skills are promoted extremely well through meaningful everyday activities. For example, children count the chickens in the coop, adding on and taking away as the chickens move in and out of their enclosure.Staff act as excellent role models.

Their relationships with the children are superb. Children's interests, likes and dislikes are reviewed every term, meaning the manager and staff know the children extremely well. Staff are highly respectful and provide plenty of encouragement, helping to raise children's confidence and self-esteem.

They provide children with specific praise so they understand exactly what it is that they have done well.Support for children's growing independence is excellent. Staff use mirrors to teach young children how to use tissues independently and dispose of them safely.

Extremely robust hygiene routines help teach children how to keep themselves healthy and safe. For example, children are aware of the importance of washing their hands after handling animals.Experienced staff are highly skilled in supporting children's learning.

They work together very well as a team. Staff are strongly supported by the manager, who meets with them individually and as a team to support their professional development. All staff attend training to keep their knowledge up to date.

The manager gathers detailed views from parents. Staff reflect thoughtfully on activities, in order to evaluate and plan experiences for children. Parents speak extremely highly of the nursery.

The manager and staff are dedicated and passionate about their work and are highly ambitious for the children in their care.Support for children with special educational needs is outstanding. Staff work very closely with a range of partner professionals to help support children's learning and well-being.

They complete the progress check for children aged between two and three years, together with health visitors at the nursery. This helps ensure assessment of children's development is precise.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Children learn through first-hand experiences about how to keep themselves safe. Staff teach them to walk, not run, and to hold hands as they move around the farmyard. They remind the children not to get too close to the large animals and to stroke the chickens and guinea pigs softly.

The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibilities around keeping children safe. All staff keep themselves up to date with procedures to protect children. They know very well how to identify any concerns with children or staff, what procedures to take and who to contact.