The Farmhouse Nursery School

The Farmhouse Nursery School The Hermitage, 5 Church Green, WITNEY, Oxfordshire, OX28 4AZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 February 2015 11 October 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Staff use good resources and activities which help to extend children's literacy skills. For example, they use songs to teach them how to pronounce letters and sounds.  Staff use a good variety of strategies to engage parents in children's next steps in learning. They provide them with good ideas of how to continue their learning at home.  Staff use first-hand experiences to help children learn about healthy eating. They plan cooking activities to make healthy meals such as soups. They provide vegetables in the mud kitchen outside and children pretend to make vegetable soups.  The manager monitors the educational programme very well. She uses a tracking tool to analyse children's progress in groups and as individuals. She uses information effectively to identify and support gaps in learning promptly.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently use skilful questions to enhance children's opportunities to respond with their own answers and ideas.  Children's learning is not always maximised during large group sessions because they are at different stages of development.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance the questioning techniques which staff use, to encourage children to respond with their own answers and ideas  maximise children's learning opportunities by offering smaller group times more consistently for children at similar stages of development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector had a discussion with the children, staff and manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and through written feedback.  The inspector looked a ranged of relevant documentation relating to safeguarding, suitability records, policies and procedures.

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who attend. This is good

Staff create well-resourced environments which support children's learning in all areas. They help to extend their language skills as they narrate their play and introduce new vocabulary to them, such as 'volcanoes'. However, they do not always use skilful questions to encourage children to respond with their own answers and ideas. Staff plans towards children's individual needs and next steps in learning. This helps to ensure they successfully build on their skills, knowledge and interests. However, at times during large group sessions, some children become less engaged. This means that their learning is not being fully maximised. Nonetheless, children make good progress, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities. Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff use a variety of ways to keep parents well informed of their children's progress. They engage parents in their child's learning at home. The manager has built good links with other

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who attend. This is good

provisions such as the local schools. This all helps them to share information to provide continuity of learning for children at home and when moving on to school.

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good

Staff are friendly and welcoming which helps children to promptly settle into activities as they arrive. Children know to stop and listen when staff ring a bell. Staff make good use of this time to remind children of rules and changes in routine. As a result, children behave very well. Staff promote healthy lifestyles well. They display information on healthy eating for children and parents. Children choose whether to play indoors or outdoors and have plenty of physical exercise and fresh air each day. Staff teach children to use tissues independently and dispose of them hygienically. Staff build children's independence as they encourage them to cut up their own fruits for snack and pour their own drinks.

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provision is good

The manager understands her responsibility to promote children's safety, welfare and learning. She works in partnership with the provider to carry out robust recruitment and vetting procedures to help to make sure that staff are suitable. Staff confidently explain what they would do if they had a concern about a child's welfare. This helps to keep children safe. The manager carries out regular supervision meetings and annual appraisals to help her to monitor staff performance. She has a strong focus on self-evaluation, which effectively identifies strengths and areas for improvement. Staff focus on what will bring about changes that benefit children the most. Their evaluation includes feedback from parents to help decide changes. The manager invites other professionals to the nursery, such as early years special educational needs inclusion teachers, to share information and seek advice on children's progress and gaps in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY426357 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 838849 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 65 Name of provider J & A Education Ltd Date of previous inspection 11 October 2011 Telephone number 01993700797

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Setting details

The Farmhouse Nursery School is a privately owned day nursery and out-of-school provision run by J and A Education Ltd. It was re-registered under the current management in 2011. It is open daily during school term times from 8.30am to 3.15pm. A breakfast club is available from 8am and after school club sessions operate from 3.15pm to 6pm. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. The nursery employs nine staff of whom seven hold relevant qualifications, including Early Years Professional Status and Qualified Teacher Status; one member of staff is working towards a relevant qualification.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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