Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre

Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre Greatwood Farm, Ponton Road, Boothby Pagnell, Grantham, Lincs NG33 4DH

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Inspection date 11 June 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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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

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This provision is outstanding

n The manager shows exceptional leadership skills. She demonstrates highly effective coaching, management and leadership of the dedicated staff team. The manager and team work particularly well with other professionals and trainers to ensure that staff consistently maintain the highest standards for children's development. n This is a unique and inspiring nursery. Staff provide children with an abundance of opportunities to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Extended learning experiences in spacious outdoor areas and in the woodland environment promote children's health and well-being exceptionally well. n The extremely well-qualified, experienced and talented staff work tirelessly to make a positive difference to children. They demonstrate outstanding teaching skills. Consequently, children are highly motivated learners who very much enjoy their play. They make excellent progress in all areas of their learning.

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This provision is outstanding

n Parents play an active role in every stage of assessing their child's progress. This helps parents to continue children's learning and development at home. Staff use innovative methods to communicate with all parents. For example, parents are invited in for the 'farmhouse breakfast'. Children spend time with their family and learn all about where their food comes from. n Staff are excellent role models who have high expectations of all children. Their nurturing manner and well-established routines support children to show exemplary behaviour. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully integrated into the life of the nursery. For example, children with physical disabilities access the woodlands and take part in forest school sessions. Staff work closely with other professionals involved in the children's care. Staff strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.

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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

n continue to evaluate and monitor new initiatives put in place to help drive and sustain the already outstanding teaching practice.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed activities in all nursery rooms, outdoor play areas and the forest school site. n The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times. She held meetings with the manager and discussed the planning and implementation of activities with each room leader. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and written statements sent by parents for the inspection. n The inspector reviewed children's records, evidence of the suitability of staff working at the nursery and a range of other documentation.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

The manager gains the views of parents, staff and children to enhance the outcomes for children. For example, a change in how staff plan and monitor children's progress has recently been introduced. Planning is now even more sharply focused on children's individual development and their next steps in learning. This has contributed to children making rapid progress in a short time frame. The manager is aware that the new planning is still in the early stages. She understands the importance of continuing to monitor and evaluate the impact this has on children's outcomes. Staff have an exceptionally strong understanding of their role in keeping children safe. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The quality of staff induction, ongoing monitoring and professional development helps to keep children safe while at nursery. Furthermore, it has an extremely positive impact on the overall quality of practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff provide children with a wide variety of inviting activities that inspire and extend children's learning. Children enjoy exploring materials first hand. For example, very young children make patterns in wet sand using trucks and cars. Staff encourage children to share different observations and experiences. They take photographs of children at play and share these with them. Even the youngest of children enjoying remembering past activities and experiences. Staff use these activities to further promote and develop children's communication and language skills. They expertly know when to sit back and listen, introduce new words and ask questions to test children's thinking and understanding.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff have exceptionally positive attitudes to children, which helps even younger children to feel emotionally secure. They carefully tune in to children's interests and provide an impressive, well-resourced environment. Children acquire life skills. They learn all about animals through first-hand experiences. Children learn the importance of dressing appropriately for all weathers. They develop a fantastic resilient attitude as they play in the rain and explore puddles. Children are exceptionally well informed about how to keep themselves safe. They learn to take risks through exploring the natural environment. Children confidently set their own challenges. For example, by testing how far they can climb and for how long they can balance along a log. Consequently, they excel in physical development.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children, including those with SEND and those in receipt of additional funding, make extremely good progress. They are motivated learners and are very well prepared for school. Older children show exceptionally good mathematical skills. They eagerly find numbers around the room and write a recognisable number three on their white boards. Children tell staff that if they put two number threes together it will make the number 33. Babies demonstrate fantastic communication skills. They clearly and confidently explore their environment and express their needs. Children find their key person when they are hungry and are able to tell them they would like a snack.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545446 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10099896 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 95 Number of children on roll 159 Name of registered person Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01476 585584

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reference number

Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre registered in 2017 and is located in Boothby Pagnell, Grantham. The nursery employs 41 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, and 22 hold level 3, including the manager, who has early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two- three and four-year-old children. It has adopted the Forest School ethos.

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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.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.

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