The Farmyard Nursery Limited Company

Inspection of The Farmyard Nursery Limited Company Church Road, Ashburnham, Battle, East Sussex TN33 9NU

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Staff provide an exciting curriculum, based on children's interests, which is extremely effective in building on what children know and can do. Children who know their colours are helped to extend this knowledge, mixing two colours to create a new colour. Children demonstrate high levels of concentration and positive attitudes as they investigate what happens when they add more colours and say 'it looks like mud!'. Staff observe children carefully and use the information to help them plan engaging activities; children are thrilled when they find treasure and jewels in the sand. Excellent teaching extends children's knowledge. Children eagerly search for the countries animals live in, concentrating intently until they find the right one. They know how animals are adapted to their environment, commenting that the thick fur of polar bears helps them keep warm. Children learn the meanings of words through actions, such as spreading butter evenly on their

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The provision is outstanding

toast. They problem solve independently. For instance, they decide to hold up the drooping sunflowers with sticks. Relationships are exceedingly warm and trusting. This helps children feel safe and secure. Children understand how to share and take turns, voluntarily passing the plate of toast to each other. The behaviour of children is exemplary.

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need to do better?

n Staff have extremely high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They have great fun together. Children were delighted when 'Mrs Shopper,' in her red wig and outrageous glasses, opened the shop. They count the coins needed to buy their shopping and some work out the change. Staff use sign language to help support the communication skills of babies. A wide range of natural materials help to provide excellent support for the sensory skills of the very young. Older children learn the sounds letters make, to read and write simple words. n Activities are exceedingly well thought out. Accurate observations of children and frequent checking of what they understand help staff plan future activities. Children make links in their learning. They were fascinated by a kestrel and a crow which regularly visit the nursery. Staff made the most of the opportunity to

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need to do better?

extend children's learning very effectively. They provided binoculars, which prompted great excitement as children exclaimed that they look bigger and nearer. n There are extremely high expectations of behaviour. Children are kind and eager to help, moving chairs and laying the tables to help prepare for lunch. Adults choose stories exceptionally carefully to support children's learning. Children revelled in the story about Elmer the elephant and painted lots of different pictures. This helps children effectively to understand that we are all different and similar.

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need to do better?

3 October 2019 n Staff know the children extremely well. They consistently support children's independence in managing their personal hygiene. Children have an excellent understanding of how to keep safe, holding and passing scissors safely. There are superb opportunities for children to develop their physical skills in the fresh air. They choose from different wheeled toys to play on, practise writing on the walls and benefit from regular excursions into the countryside to collect conkers and explore the natural world. Children benefit from highly nutritious meals. They know what helps to keep them healthy, remarking that fish is good because it has no sugar. n Staff are well qualified and benefit from regular meetings with leaders. This helps to improve practice and identify training needs. Training is sharply focused on the needs of the children. Staff have recently participated in training to help

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need to do better?

support children with SEND. Staff agree that they have a manageable workload. n Communication with parents is exceptional. Parents are delighted with the high level of communication and support they receive, including daily diaries for the youngest children. Parents use the online system to view their child's progress and add their own contributions. The staff provide parents with a wealth of suggestions about how to support learning at home, including the loan of resources and books. n Communication with other providers is exceptionally strong. Information is shared. In the case of children with SEND, parents and external professionals are included. Staff meet with other professionals to moderate children's assessments to help to ensure a consistency of understanding across different providers.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have a thorough knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including those relating to radicalisation. They know who to inform if they have any concerns about a child's safety or welfare. Staff know the procedure to follow should they have a concern about the conduct of a colleague. Leaders ensure that all staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Regular checks of children's absence and accident records help leaders identify patterns that may indicate abuse. Extremely comprehensive systems for recruiting staff help to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children and have the necessary skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551031 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10123479 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 29 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person The Farmyard Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01424 893366 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Farmyard Nursery opened in 2007 and re-registered in 2017. It operates from a converted barn in Ashburnham, East Sussex. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 50 weeks a year. There are eight staff who work with the children, two of whom hold early years teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector conducted a learning walk across all areas of the setting with the nursery leaders, who explained how the provision and curriculum are organised to meet the needs of the children, including those with SEND. n Two activities were jointly observed with the owner and manager, in different rooms. A discussion was held about the practice of the staff. n A range of documents were checked, including those relating to a recent accident, staff suitability checks and evidence of training. Children's online assessments were viewed. n The inspector viewed questionnaires completed by parents, spoke to a number of parents and children, and took their views into consideration. n The inspector held discussions with staff members about their understanding of safeguarding and their workload.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

3 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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