The Farmyard Nursery Limited Company

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Staff provide an exciting curriculum, based on children's interests, which is extremely effective in building on what children know and can do. Children who know their colours are helped to extend this knowledge, mixing two colours to create a new colour.

Children demonstrate high levels of concentration and positive attitudes as they investigate what happens when they add more colours and say 'it looks like mud!'. Staff observe children carefully and use the information to help them plan engaging activities; children are thrilled when they find treasure and jewels in the sand. Excellent teaching extends children's knowl...edge.

Children eagerly search for the countries animals live in, concentrating intently until they find the right one. They know how animals are adapted to their environment, commenting that the thick fur of polar bears helps them keep warm. Children learn the meanings of words through actions, such as spreading butter evenly on their toast.

They problem solve independently. For instance, they decide to hold up the drooping sunflowers with sticks. Relationships are exceedingly warm and trusting.

This helps children feel safe and secure. Children understand how to share and take turns, voluntarily passing the plate of toast to each other. The behaviour of children is exemplary.

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

Staff have extremely high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They have great fun together. Children were delighted when 'Mrs Shopper,' in her red wig and outrageous glasses, opened the shop.

They count the coins needed to buy their shopping and some work out the change. Staff use sign language to help support the communication skills of babies. A wide range of natural materials help to provide excellent support for the sensory skills of the very young.

Older children learn the sounds letters make, to read and write simple words.Activities are exceedingly well thought out. Accurate observations of children and frequent checking of what they understand help staff plan future activities.

Children make links in their learning. They were fascinated by a kestrel and a crow which regularly visit the nursery. Staff made the most of the opportunity to extend children's learning very effectively.

They provided binoculars, which prompted great excitement as children exclaimed that they look bigger and nearer.There are extremely high expectations of behaviour. Children are kind and eager to help, moving chairs and laying the tables to help prepare for lunch.

Adults choose stories exceptionally carefully to support children's learning. Children revelled in the story about Elmer the elephant and painted lots of different pictures. This helps children effectively to understand that we are all different and similar.

Staff know the children extremely well. They consistently support children's independence in managing their personal hygiene. Children have an excellent understanding of how to keep safe, holding and passing scissors safely.

There are superb opportunities for children to develop their physical skills in the fresh air. They choose from different wheeled toys to play on, practise writing on the walls and benefit from regular excursions into the countryside to collect conkers and explore the natural world. Children benefit from highly nutritious meals.

They know what helps to keep them healthy, remarking that fish is good because it has no sugar.Staff are well qualified and benefit from regular meetings with leaders. This helps to improve practice and identify training needs.

Training is sharply focused on the needs of the children. Staff have recently participated in training to help support children with SEND. Staff agree that they have a manageable workload.

Communication with parents is exceptional. Parents are delighted with the high level of communication and support they receive, including daily diaries for the youngest children. Parents use the online system to view their child's progress and add their own contributions.

The staff provide parents with a wealth of suggestions about how to support learning at home, including the loan of resources and books.Communication with other providers is exceptionally strong. Information is shared.

In the case of children with SEND, parents and external professionals are included. Staff meet with other professionals to moderate children's assessments to help to ensure a consistency of understanding across different providers.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff have a thorough knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including those relating to radicalisation. They know who to inform if they have any concerns about a child's safety or welfare. Staff know the procedure to follow should they have a concern about the conduct of a colleague.

Leaders ensure that all staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Regular checks of children's absence and accident records help leaders identify patterns that may indicate abuse. Extremely comprehensive systems for recruiting staff help to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children and have the necessary skills.

Also at this postcode