The Shepherd’s Hut Outdoor Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children learn through an abundance of activities that stimulate their senses and provoke intrigue and excitement. They use large pieces of wood and tyres to construct using their imagination. For example, they create a pirate ship and imagine that they are birds of prey, swooping to pick up leaves before returning to their 'perch'.

Older children understand the rules that are in place to keep them safe. For example, they learn about fire safety through singing a fire song. This supports children in recognising risks and taking measures to keep themselves safe.

When they have learned these important lessons, chi...ldren enjoy toasting their snacks on the campfire. Children test out what they can do. For example, they work out how to climb into hammocks and wrap themselves up as they imagine they are a chrysalis.

They then emerge with enthusiasm as 'butterflies', using their knowledge to link ideas and themes together.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make strides in their development. Staff work effectively with other professionals and target support for them.

By making accurate assessments, staff recognise the excellent progress children make.Children's behaviour is excellent. They are busy and engaged and readily share and take turns.

Children show the utmost respect for staff and each other. Their superb social skills enable them to play and learn together in a calm and happy environment.

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

Staff use the ambitious curriculum to support children in building on their knowledge and skills over time.

In the baby barn, children practise moving around tree stumps and explore natural materials. They immerse themselves in these experiences, rolling in large trays of oats and delighting in the sensation of tipping oats on their feet and hands.During activities, staff skilfully introduce mathematical teaching in creative and imaginative ways.

For example, children compare sizes of pumpkins, count out seeds and estimate how many flowers will grow.Staff share a singular vision for providing children with the very best experiences. They have high expectations for what children are capable of and can achieve.

In the baby barn, staff ensure that babies experience the same levels of challenge and rewarding opportunities as they provide for older children. Babies follow their natural impulses to explore. They practise climbing on and off the step and test out how they can create sounds through banging two items together.

They show their absolute joy in being able to create loud sounds.Children speak fluently and articulate their ideas with confidence. Staff's excellent support encourages children to share their views.

These strong foundations in communicating equip children extremely well for working successfully with their peers and sharing their thoughts with adults.Staff strive to provide children with rich experiences that help them to understand about the world and the people who live in it. Parents say how welcoming and inclusive the nursery feels.

Parents say that staff celebrate their family's uniqueness and individuality. Parents are highly complimentary about the nursery. They discuss the benefits of children learning outdoors, especially for children's sleep and appetites.

Children learn about growth and decay. Children observe what animals and birds eat. Staff teach them about difficult concepts, such as when they found a dead squirrel.

Staff do not shy away from talking children through this. Consequently, children learn about life and death in ways relevant to their young age.At the nursery, children learn about reducing waste and recycling.

Their personal and hygiene needs are met efficiently. Staff do not waste any opportunity for learning as children learn about composting and dealing with waste. Children grow and harvest prickly cucumbers and make jam from raspberries they have grown.

They develop positive attitudes towards trying the new foods they have nurtured.Staff demonstrate infectious enthusiasm for their work. The excellent support and supervision that managers provide help staff to continually improve on their teaching skills.

Support for students is exceptional and students flourish in confidence and love their time spent training at the nursery.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Children's safety is paramount at the nursery.

Staff are vigilant in supervising children. There are extensive risk assessments to ensure that children can explore the environment safely. Managers understand and implement safe recruitment practice and monitor the ongoing suitability of staff.

All staff understand about how to work successfully with the local safeguarding partners. Staff are acutely aware of how the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has had a negative impact on mental health and family life. They are alert to signs that children might be at risk of harm and know how to swiftly act upon this to protect children.