Creative Roots - Outdoor Learning

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Leaders plan enriching and varied opportunities for all children to access and enjoy, with a keen focus on nature and outdoor learning.

As soon as children arrive, they eagerly explore the enriching environment. Older children swing in hammocks and their friends push them excitedly. Younger children climb onto tree ladders and swing happily.

Others use small wheelbarrows to collect wild garlic. Leaders engage in discussions with children learning about the different leaves and plants. For example, children forage and use language, such as 'sticky weed' and 'silver birch', retaining what they have learned.

All chil...dren, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn new skills. Children's motivation, concentration and focus are superb. They learn how to finger knit, and carve sticks safely using peelers.

Leaders ensure activities have a purpose.Children's behaviour is excellent. They demonstrate their independence and willingly help leaders during the session.

Leaders create clear boundaries and have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children have an excellent awareness of safety and how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know to walk around the edge of the fire pit when the fire is lit.

Leaders value and respect children's choices and are excellent role models for children.

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

Children confidently talk about their experiences at the club and what they enjoy most. For example, older children say, 'I liked lighting the fire' and younger children excitedly revisit how they have made colourful eggs, using tissue paper and vinegar.

Children make new friendships and ask each other questions, such as 'How old are you?' and 'What school do you go to?' Leaders show a strong focus on the well-being of children. They have a deep understanding of children's needs and recognise when children need 'quiet time'. Leaders ask children 'How did you sleep? How is everyone feeling?' They create a calm environment where children feel safe, secure and valued.

Leaders calmly sing songs that provide instruction between transitions, such as snack time. This creates seamless transitions for children, particularly supporting those children with SEND.Leaders promote healthy choices and encourage good hygiene practices, such as washing hands before handling and eating food.

Leaders engage in discussions about healthy foods and talk about things they can eat within their environment, such as chives and garlic. Children understand the importance of looking after the environment and leaders remind children to pick up litter when they finish their snack.Leaders understand the value of learning opportunities for staff and encourage them to share their skills between each other and children, such as learning how to tie knots.

This provides children with key skills for future learning. Leaders ensure staff have regular supervisions and they report on high levels of well-being. Leaders have great passion and care for their roles and strive to provide the best possible care for children.

Self-evaluation is used well to identify areas for improvement within the environment. For example, leaders felt they needed more undercover areas during bad weather and will soon be receiving a new field shelter. The leaders value knowledge and how they can transfer this to children's learning.

They have recently enrolled on training to enhance their awareness of plants.Parents speak highly of the club and leaders. They value the deep knowledge their children gain from being outdoors and recognise the new skills their children learn, such as knitting and cooking.

Parents report on the consistent information sharing, and how staff provide a good overview of what their children have been doing during their time at the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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