The Willow On The Farm Nursery

Inspection of The Willow On The Farm Nursery Nill Farm, Tadmarton Heath Road, Hook Norton, Banbury OX15 5DQ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children are highly confident, enthusiastic and resilient learners. They benefit from a wonderful range of awe-inspiring learning opportunities in their unique environment. This helps to prepare them for their future lives. For example, children make decisions and manage risks exceptionally well. They recognise changes in their environment, such as the speed and depth of flowing water. They walk safely step-by- step down the local stream. When they near the end of the stream, children think critically. They make predictions about how far their sticks, pots and ducks will travel in the water. They look on excitedly as they observe and describe what happens.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children are exceptionally safe and happy. Staff are highly reflective and they minimise risks effectively. They have high expectations and children listen and respond to safety rules superbly. Children demonstrate high levels of confidence. This is illustrated as they talk passionately about their experiences at forest school. They enthusiastically describe how they use the fire pit safely to make porridge and blackberry juice. Children recall their previous knowledge and tell visitors about their visits to the apple orchard. They explain how they identify if apples are good to eat, such as by looking for any holes in them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The whole staff team shares an exceptional understanding of their vision for the curriculum. They promote opportunities for children to be curious learners. They help them develop an appreciation for themselves, each other and their natural world. Staff implement this vision securely and consistently and it underpins every element of their practice. For instance, children learn first-hand about life cycles and where food comes from. They learn to look after plants and animals on the farm. Children delight in collecting eggs from the chickens. They learn how to use these to make food, such as scrambled egg and cakes. n Staff provide an abundant array of opportunities for children to be physically active. This helps to promote children's health and well-being extremely well. For example, children enjoy the challenge of climbing up trees. Staff encourage them to keep trying when they encounter difficulties, such as when they need to

p.2

need to do better?

plan a safe route to return to the ground. Children are highly motivated and they are eager to work with their friends to make dens for their play. They cooperate with others superbly and persevere as they gather and transport sticks for their den. n Staff help children to manage their emotions highly effectively. For example, they teach children the language of feelings. Staff use this language in their everyday practice to talk about their own emotions. They help children identify how they are feeling. Children share their emotions and identify them on a

p.2

need to do better?

21 November 2019 'mood meter'. Younger children begin to understand the impact that their behaviour has on other children's feelings. Staff support them exceptionally well to solve problems with their peers. n Staff develop exemplary partnerships with parents. They provide timely support where needed, such as to support toilet training. Staff lead workshops to help parents understand how their children express their feelings and emotions in nursery. Parents report that this has had a significant impact on their approach at home. They say that they now feel confident to talk to their children about their emotions and mood. This is helping to give children a consistent approach at home and nursery. n Leaders foster an outstanding culture of continuous improvement in the setting. They create, implement and monitor precise action plans for improvement with their team. They provide exceptional support to staff, organising training to

p.2

need to do better?

enhance their subject knowledge. For instance, staff complete letters and sounds training. This gives them the essential knowledge and skills to help them to teach this accurately. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their future learning. This is demonstrated when they confidently use letters and sounds to read and write simple words in their play. n Leaders act with integrity and respect staff well-being. For example, they mentor staff to help them confidently manage the different requirements of their role. They talk to staff about their workload and provide planning and preparation time to help them complete work during the nursery day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have an exceptional understanding of the signs and symptoms which may indicate that children are at risk of harm, including of radical and extreme views or behaviours. They know how to deal with concerns about children's welfare and have a secure understanding of local authority procedures for reporting allegations. Leaders ensure that recruitment procedures are robust. This helps them to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff identify, reflect on and minimise the risks of the activities that they provide in their unique environment superbly. This helps to keep children safe in nursery.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY550967 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10130812 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 5 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person The Willow Nursery School Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07766752465 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Willow on the Farm Nursery registered in 2017. It is located on a farm near Hook Norton, Banbury. The setting opens term time only, Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 3pm. It offers early drop off, morning, afternoon and all day sessions, with the option of lunch club. The nursery accepts funding for the free provision of education for children aged 3 and 4 years. The nursery employs seven members of staff, of whom six work with children. Of these, four members of staff hold qualifications at level 3 and above, including one at level 6.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector visited all indoor and outdoor areas used by the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff about how they risk assess their environment and activities. n The inspector completed an evaluation of a planned activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector talked to staff about the curriculum and how they implement it in the nursery. n The inspector talked to parents and children during the course of the inspection and considered their views.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

21 November 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

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.6

Inspection activities

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.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6