Mead Open Farm Day Nursery and Activity Day Camp

Mead Open Farm Activity Day Camps Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 9JH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 August 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childcare director and manager are highly qualified and motivate the staff team extremely well. Their extensive knowledge of the theories behind children's development helps them to support every aspect of children's well-being at the club.  The manager continually reviews the activities on offer and the quality of staff interactions with children. Staff strive for excellence and are committed to providing the highest possible quality of care for children.  Staff engage with children with enthusiasm and show a love for their work. They have an abundance of energy, and obvious genuine affection for the children they care for. Children delight in their busy day and are eager to experience all opportunities on offer for them.  Children enjoy very close relationships with staff. They are respectful of staff and each other, and show an in-depth awareness of the rules that help to keep them safe and

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This provision is outstanding

secure.  Activities are very well planned to help children to get to know each other and develop as a group. Children demonstrate their consideration for others, and are caring and considerate of each other's feelings. Staff are highly successful in building children's confidence and acknowledge and praise their achievements.  Staff help children to learn exceptionally well about being fit and healthy. Children use the play barn, where they test out their physical skills and increase in confidence in their abilities. Children develop a sense of how to manage some risks for themselves, for example, when using the large slides.

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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

 continue to use technology to further enhance children's abilities to share their experiences and views at the club.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of activities for children around the farm and in the base room and had discussions with staff.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and childcare director. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the policies and procedures and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club.  The inspector took account of feedback left by parents.  Children shared their views with the inspector and talked about the things they enjoy doing at the club.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The staff team works together very efficiently under the strong direction of the manager and the superb guidance of the childcare director. Organisation is excellent and staff move between the different environments to support children as they make the most of the unique setting. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff know how to identify any concerns about children's welfare and follow procedures to report any issues to the relevant person. The organisation has a thorough and robust approach to safeguarding children. There are stringent checks carried out on all staff to confirm their suitability to work with children. Extensive ongoing training helps staff to remain highly effective in meeting children's needs. Staff provide flexible care for parents and encourage their involvement in the club. There are innovative approaches to communicating with them from the very beginning. Staff share information about what activities children have

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

enjoyed and welcome their feedback about the quality of the setting. This contributes to staff's ability to make ongoing improvements that have led to the excellent standard of care that children enjoy. Staff are developing the use of technology to help children to share their views even more effectively.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children are highly independent and able to make multiple choices throughout their time at the club. This gives them the ability to follow what interests them and keeps them fully entertained and busy. Children take delight in bottle-feeding lambs and counting new-born piglets. They eagerly embrace the many available activities that help them to think and play together. Staff are highly supportive and make sure that all children have opportunities to take part and join in. They provide art and craft activities that help children to express their ideas, be creative and to use their imagination. Children make scarecrows and use complex problem-solving skills. They measure clothes to fit their scarecrow and stuff it with hay to make it look less floppy. Children who prefer to play outdoors have ample opportunities to make use of the impressive facilities on offer. Staff make sure that young children have quieter times, where they can rest and unwind.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children are very outgoing and articulate. They talk with enthusiasm about what they enjoy doing at the club and desire to attend every day.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children sit together when they eat. These are social occasions where children share their ideas and talk about things that are important to them together. Staff are creative in supporting children to be tolerant, patient and understanding of others. This helps to contribute to an environment where everyone feels valued and safe. Older children are happy to help younger ones and have a sense of responsibility as the most mature members at the club. Rules are clear and children know what behaviour staff expect from them. They behave extremely well. Staff encourage meticulous hygiene practices. Children are taught about the reasons for handwashing, as this is especially important when they have been in contact with the farm animals. The key-person arrangements are highly effective in helping young children to settle very quickly and gain exceptional skills for the future.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490033 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1017323 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 11 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Kids Play Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07816 217024

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reference number

Mead Open Farm Activity Day Camps was registered in 2015 and provides childcare from a first-floor room within the play centre at the farm. The club employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The club opens from Monday to Friday during Bedfordshire local authority school holidays. Sessions are from 8.30am until 5.30pm. There is an option of early or late club dependent on need.

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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

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

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