Mini Explorers Crabtree Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff provide children with exciting and engaging activities in a safe, inviting and well-designed farm environment. There is a strong focus on outdoor play. Children develop a great enthusiasm to explore and learn about the world around them.

They spread out across the vast outdoor area and find interesting things to see and do. Older children work together to make bird feeders. They use their fingers and thumbs to pick up the tiny seeds and place them into pumpkins.

This promotes children's physical development well. Younger children go on a bird hunt around the farm, using binoculars. Staff teach children the names ...of birds.

Children confidently identify owls and starlings on pictures. Younger children have fun investigating different materials. Staff working with babies help them to explore coloured rice and foam.

They tell children the names of the colours, and sing number rhymes and songs as they play. Toddlers go on a 'bear hunt' through the wooded area. They re-tell the story, acting out parts as they climb over logs.

Children are fascinated by the environment around them. For instance, they are curious about a spider they find. Children's behaviour is good.

Children are kind and friendly towards each other. Staff regularly praise them for sharing and being kind to others.

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

Overall, staff know children well.

They use their knowledge of children's interests and development to shape a curriculum that is exciting and extends their learning. However, occasionally, staff do not share information to support all children's individual learning intentions, to raise their development to an even higher level.Although staff's interactions with children are good, occasionally, staff do not encourage quieter children to join in activities.

This means that staff miss opportunities to extend learning experiences for quieter children.The manager and nominated person understand the importance of self-evaluation. They review the provision to help them to make improvements.

The manager uses regular meetings and supervision sessions to support all staff. She encourages staff to reflect on their practice. The manager discusses improvements with staff following room observations.

The manager and nominated person have a clear vision for the future of the nursery.Children's literacy skills are developing well. Younger children listen intently to stories and songs.

They are encouraged to babble and move to music. Older children are encouraged to write letters from their name and form letter shapes. Children have free access to a range of books, which they look at with staff and independently.

Staff support children to manage hygiene routines for themselves. Children know to wash their hands after going to the toilet and wiping their nose. They select their own activities and dress themselves in outdoor clothing.

This helps children to develop their independence skills.Staff are especially skilled at supporting children's physical skills. They make excellent use of the large outdoor area.

Children develop strong physical skills, using big and small muscles as they go on a nature walk. Children learn new words about autumn and nature. Staff help them to talk about what they see in the woods.

Children negotiate the natural environment, hunting for sticks and insects. Staff teach children about how to keep themselves safe around the fire pit. This helps children to understand risks and learn about the world around them.

Parents comment that they feel very well supported by the nursery. Children have good bonds with staff and are well cared for. Parents enjoy regular updates through an online system.

Staff share information with parents to help them to understand how children's learning can be further supported at home. Parents have regular opportunities to talk to their child's key person at drop off and collection times. They are invited to regular parents' meetings to talk in detail about their child's development.

Staff encourage children to remember the rules in nursery. Staff encourage children to 'use kind words' towards their friends. Children are beginning to manage their own feelings and behave well.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff place a high priority on safeguarding children and are clear about the procedures to follow, should they have concerns about a child. Staff are confident of the procedures to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff.

They keep themselves up to date with recent legislation. For example, staff have a good understanding of the 'Prevent' duty and female genital mutilation. Staff use and understand the risk assessments in place.

This keeps children safe in the setting. The manager uses thorough procedures for the recruitment of new staff.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: help staff to further develop their understanding of the curriculum, so that they are aware of the specific learning intentions for all individual children focus more closely on supporting quieter and less-confident children to be fully engaged in their play and learning.