Little Goslings

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

This nursery is unique in that it predominantly cares for babies and children aged one and two years. Babies and young children build strong bonds with staff, which helps them to feel settled and confident in their environment. They benefit from this, because the staff who care for them are nurturing and focused on providing high levels of care and education for children of this age.

Children show an understanding of good manners when staff encourage them to say, 'Please may I leave the table?' after mealtimes.Children's curiosity is ignited by the well-resourced and fascinating environment staff provide for them. Children espe...cially enjoy being outdoors and exploring the on-site woods and beyond.

Staff spark children's imagination and suggest the children find the 'welly tree'. Children run ahead and look in awe at the wellies hanging from a nearby tree. Other children use their physical skills and run freely in the long grass.

They tell staff, the grass is 'tickling' their legs. Children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination when staff plan an activity to practise their threading skills. For ones so young, the children show super communication skills when they recall and voice facts they have learned from staff.

For example, children say, 'They are only baby trees.'

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

The owner and manager lead by example in their aim to provide high-quality care and education for all children. Following observations of some staff working with the children, the manager provides some valuable opportunities to discuss their practice during whole group staff meetings.

However, individual support for newer, less experienced staff to develop their knowledge of teaching even further is still in its infancy. This means that currently not all staff are supporting children to make the best all-round progress in their development.Staff are instrumental in supporting children's communication and language.

Songs and rhymes form a huge part of children's day. Children join in with songs and do the actions. Staff build up children's anticipation with popular songs and children listen intently for the ultimate 'roar' that they know is coming.

The owner and manager have a good understanding of the curriculum they offer for young children. There is a strong emphasis on developing children's well-being, communication and being ready for the next stage in their learning. Staff plan activities around the farming calendar and offer children lots of hands-on opportunities.

These include having opportunities to pet the owner's ponies and watching crops change and being harvested.Staff have planned the learning environment well. It is designed to provide a home-from-home feel.

Furniture is low-level, so that babies can confidently pull themselves to standing and resources are within reach, so they can follow their impulses to explore. Children quickly learn to become steady on their feet and build their core strength.Children behave well.

They show kindness and consideration towards their friends. For example, children spontaneously offer their friends a hug. Staff help the young children to understand why some actions may be harmful to them.

For instance, staff explain to children that they need to sit on their chair properly or they might fall and hurt their chin.There is a strong emphasis on children having a healthy lifestyle. Younger children sleep outdoors all year round, protected by fly nets or rain covers.

Meals provided are healthy and include a wealth of hidden nutrients. One example of this is 'green gravy', consisting of courgette, kale and leek. Children thoroughly enjoy lunch and there is barely any waste.

Opportunities for physical play are immense across the spacious site. Children show high levels of stamina and strength as they climb the ladder on the slide and successfully negotiate a cargo net.Staff help babies and young children to build their independence.

For example, during mealtimes, they provide babies with spoons and encourage them to self-feed. As they get older, children confidently handle cutlery to eat and use cups without lids.Staff help children to develop intergenerational relationships.

As a nursery, they make and deliver cakes to neighbours, who eagerly show the children their garden. Children learn how to address more mature people by their name and respect them with a hand shake.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff have a good understanding of a range of safeguarding topics, including how to identify and report concerns about a child's welfare. Good systems are in place for the safe administration of medications. Children's dietary needs and requirements are very well catered for.

Most staff have first-aid qualifications. This ensures they can effectively support children if any minor incidents occur. Staff keep children safe at all times.

When crossing the road to the woods, children who are walking hold staff's hand. They are encouraged to look for traffic before crossing the road, and wait for their friends to gather together, before moving off.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: develop support for newer, less experienced staff to build on their knowledge of teaching.