School in the Woods: Outdoor Nursery

School in the Woods: Outdoor Nursery Davenport Methodist Church, Off Holmes Chapel Road, Davenport, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4SS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 June 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children are provided with a warm, caring and nurturing environment. Strong key- person relationships support children's emotional well-being, promote independence and help children to develop secure attachments.  The leadership team has a very clear drive for improvement. Regular evaluations of practice help to identify strengths and weaknesses within the setting. Concise action plans are used to support continuous improvement and enhance the outcomes for children.  The quality of teaching is good. Highly qualified staff interact extremely well with the children. Children are provided with a wide range of learning experiences that ignites their interests and motivates them to learn.  Accurate observations and assessments are completed regularly. Staff have a clear understanding of children's next steps in learning. They plan fun and challenging activities that build upon children's prior learning. All children are making good

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This provision is good

progress.  Children's language and communication skills are promoted well. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations and use effective questioning to promote children's thinking skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although staff have established links with other settings that children attend, these are not yet highly effective.

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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

 build on the already established partnership working with other settings that children attend to develop an even more effective shared approach to children's learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. A good range of policies and procedures supports daily practice in helping staff to keep children safe and protected from harm. Robust risk assessments cover all aspects of the setting, including children accessing open woodland and taking part in activities around campfires and water. Supervision meetings and appraisal systems support staff to enhance their knowledge and skills through targeted professional development plans. Management staff are trained Forest School practitioners and ensure that children are learning about their environment through play and exploration. Reflective practice is used to ensure that the quality of teaching is consistently strong.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan a range of adult-led activities that is identified from children's next steps for learning and builds upon what children can already do. Staff are responsive to children's interests throughout the day and children are encouraged to lead their own play. For example, they make a bed and a television using crates and planks of wood, following on from a discussion about moving house. High staff-to-child ratios ensure that staff are always on hand to respond quickly to further extend children's knowledge and thinking skills. For example, when a child spots a slug on the path, staff stop to pick it up and engage children in interesting discussions around its colour, texture and purpose. Parents are involved in all assessments and share regular information regarding their children's learning at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children engage with nature and have a keen interest in living things and their environment. They have an excellent understanding of how to manage risks independently and are encouraged to risk assess situations for themselves from an early age. For example, children stop, fold their arms and inform staff and other children if they see a dog approaching. They understand that they must not run from or touch the dog to prevent it becoming excited or cross. Children are very well behaved. They are given time to manage conflict themselves and staff offer support and constructive guidance if necessary. Children are encouraged to consider how they react to different situations. This helps them to manage their feelings independently. Children carry their own bags and drinks when out walking. They are developing a very good understanding of healthy lifestyles through healthy foods, fresh air and regular exercise.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making very good progress. They are developing the skills they need to support their readiness for school. Children communicate effectively, expressing their thoughts and ideas freely. They are confident and independent learners who manage their individual needs with very little support. Children are curious and have a strong exploratory impulse as they engage in the natural world. They manage risks independently and are fully aware of what is and is not acceptable behaviour when accessing open woodland and water.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477454 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 977572 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 6 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person School in the Woods Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07748637847

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reference number

School in the Woods: Outdoor Nursery was registered in 2014. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 and above, including two with qualified teacher status and one with level 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Easter, two weeks at Christmas, bank holidays and staff training days. Sessions are from 8am until 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery occasionally includes children of compulsory school age who have home education arrangements.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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