The Barn Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents

This provision is good • The ambitious manager is committed to providing the highest quality care for children.

For example, she has been proactive in sourcing support from external agencies and other professionals. The manager has established links with the other settings children attend. This supports an inclusive approach and continuity of care for every child.

• The stimulating indoor and outdoor areas engage children in high levels of imaginative play. For example, children cook pretend meals in the mud kitchen. They look for the pretend wolves and make magic wands from available sticks and netting.

• Children have plenty of opportunities to develop their p...hysical skills. For instance, young children negotiate space as they ride bicycles and scooters at speed. Older children manipulate tweezers and household utensils to transport a variety of different shaped beans.

• The manager has introduced a system to precisely track the progress of different groups of children. She uses this information effectively to oversee staff practice and set clear targets for improvement. • The established key-person system helps to promote children's well-being and development.

Staff know the children well. This helps children to build secure attachments with them. Staff tailor children's activities to build on their interests and abilities.

Parents have complete trust in the staff who oversee their children's care. • Parents have high praise for the nursery and say the environment is like a home from home. They feel the outside space provides added value for their children and say that when they collect children, they smell of fresh air.

Parents describe the manager as strong and passionate about childcare, and the staff as professional. • Although detailed development plans are in place to enhance staff's day-to-day practice, these are not yet highly effective in securing exceptional staff performance. • Staff do not make best use of activities that are planned to enhance children's speech and language skills.