Great and Small Forest School

Great And Small Forest Education Cottams Farm, Whalley Road, Clayton Le Moors, Accrington BB5 5SB

p.1

Inspection date 6 September 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1

p.1

The provision is outstanding

n Staff make excellent use of the natural outdoors as a learning environment. They carry out robust assessments of children's learning and development and use these to ensure children are highly challenged. Children make excellent progress. n Children have extremely high levels of safety awareness. For instance, staff teach them how to identify nettles and brambles to help to prevent scratches and stings. Children remind other children and staff of the dangers of touching these. n Highly effective arrangements are in place to ensure parents play a full and active role in their child's early learning. Staff and parents share information about the progress children make at the forest school and at home extremely well. Parents are effusive in their praise of the provision. n The inspiring management team and well-qualified staff are committed to making continuous improvements. Their passion, energy and high expectations of children

p.1

The provision is outstanding

supports the exceptional teaching to continually raise outcomes for children. n Children's behaviour is excellent. They are kind and polite, show consideration towards others and are extraordinarily confident in the natural environment. n Children are extremely happy and calm as they play. They attend sessions with their parents prior to starting and develop strong bonds with staff as they settle in.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n build even further on the already high-quality teaching practices, to maintain the excellent outcomes for children.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed activities and experiences available to children. n The inspector observed interactions between children and staff and spoke to children. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector sampled documentation including evidence of the suitability of staff, children's records, policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to staff throughout the inspection and held a meeting with the provider.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Management is highly successful in evaluating the provision. They want to find even more ways to improve staff's performance. For example, they plan to take advantage of spontaneous learning opportunities to maintain the already excellent quality of teaching. Children's progress and learning needs are closely monitored. Staff quickly identify any gaps in children's learning, research possible causes and fully involve parents as they work together with other agencies to help children to catch up. Safeguarding is effective. Robust recruitment and induction procedures ensure all staff are suitable. Staff are exceptionally well trained in understanding and implementing child protection procedures. They are extremely confident in identifying and supporting children who may be at risk of harm.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The quality of teaching is inspirational. Staff take every opportunity to explain, demonstrate and guide children to help build on what they already know and can do. They model communication and language skills exceptionally well. Staff consistently use skilful questioning that helps take children's thinking to a higher level. They are proficient at using their comprehensive assessments of children's development needs and interests to continually adapt and evolve activities to enhance their learning. Children learn mathematical concepts as they compare the size of sticks and decide if it is, 'Bigger or smaller than me'. Staff expertly teach children about the life cycle of wasps as they closely examine 'oak apples'. Children wade in the river and investigate how stones sink in the water. They explain that the leaves float because they have more air in them.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children develop high levels of confidence in their physical abilities. They scramble up steep slopes, carefully consider the option of moving diagonally to make the climb easier and expertly lower themselves down using ropes. They have high levels of respect for the environment and creatures they find. Children handle slugs very carefully as they investigate how their eyes are on stalks. They return the creatures safely off the path and know to wash their hands afterwards. Children develop an excellent understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle. They eat healthy snacks in the fire square and staff talk to them about the nutritious foods they have selected.

p.3

Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are highly successful learners. They are consistently and successfully encouraged to think and explore the stimulating learning environment. They learn a vast range of valuable skills to support their future learning and eventual move to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY554007 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10067188 Type of provision Full day care

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Great And Small Forest Education Limited

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07890538088

p.4

reference number

Great And Small Forest Education registered in 2017. The provision operates all year round, with sessions between 9.15am and 3.15pm, Monday to Friday. There are four members of staff, of these three hold relevant qualifications at level 5, level 6 and one member of staff holds qualified teacher status.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.5

reference number

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

p.5