Little Adventurers Forest School

Inspection of Little Adventurers Forest School Sherbrooke Scout Camp, Mansfield Lane, Calverton, Nottingham NG14 6HP

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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

Children are really excited and can hardly wait to get into the woods. They are really keen to check if their favourite log is still there or if there are any new puddles. Children behave incredibly well in this setting. They listen really well to staff's instructions and know exactly how far they can go in the woods and field. Children are very aware of the rules made for their safety. For example, they know which way to walk around the fire pit and to wait to be called to get their snack and drink. They quickly grasp how to bend their knees to get down steep slopes safely. They display high levels of care and cooperation with each other. For example, they readily give each other a hand to get out of the mud when they have fallen.

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The provision is outstanding

Children make considerable progress in their learning. Children make significant strides in their language development. Younger children rapidly gain a broad vocabulary that includes the names of the birds and animals they see around the site. Older children quickly develop a can-do attitude in activities. For example, they plan what they might make, explain how they will do it and then have a go. Children rise to the challenges of the outdoor activities incredibly well. For example, even the youngest children soon learn to cope with eating their packed lunches outside and manage hot food in flasks.

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need to do better?

n Children relish the access they have to real tools and resources. They demonstrate excellent physical skills as they hammer nails, use the saw and drill holes. Younger children love being able to practise hammering and sawing over and over again. Older children are highly purposeful in what they make. For example, they find the right kind of twig to make reindeer antlers and drill a hole for string to tie it to their head. n Staff are highly qualified and really skilful at observing and adjusting the way they intervene when working with the children. For example, they readily re- word questions, pose problems and offer suggestions during an activity so that all children can achieve. For example, children persevere to make their own bird feeders with pine cones and seeds. They work out how to use lard to get the seeds to stick. They then experiment with how to get them to stay or hang in the tree. Older children are particularly persistent and try different lengths of

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need to do better?

thread until they have enough and succeed in tying it to the tree. n Staff always challenge and encourage children to do as much as they can for themselves. Children develop incredible levels of perseverance and resilience. For example, when they fall over, they get straight up, rub the mud off their hands and carry on. They love climbing trees. They know how to test the branches and will keep trying until they get to where they intended.

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need to do better?

9 January 2020 n Staff make excellent use of the natural resources all around them to promote mathematics though play. Children count really confidently to 20 when playing hide and seek. They work out how many children there are and are very quick to tell the staff how to write the number. Children are very able to solve simple problems and readily add one more and recognise quantity, for example when collecting pine cones. n Staff make exceptional efforts to include children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, they creatively find ways to ensure children with physical needs can climb safely and access the woods. n Staff build really strong relationships with parents. Parents speak very highly of the staff, of their care for their child and their approachability. Staff work really hard to share information about the children's progress with parents and the other settings they attend.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are inspirational. They are extremely knowledgeable about outdoor education and constantly reflect on and improve what they do. For example, they have improved the children's access to and learning about technology. Children have great fun making the walkie talkies work. n Staff are really committed to promoting equality and diversity with the children. They teach children about respecting each other and their differences through lots of different activities. These include visits to the local library and shops as well as activities, such as building dams and bridges over the stream. This requires them to work together and help each other.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an excellent understanding of how to protect children and keep them safe. They are highly knowledgeable about possible signs of abuse and how to report their concerns. Staff are highly effective in identifying children who may need help or may be at risk of harm. They are very vigilant about children's safety. Children learn how to keep themselves safe and assess risks really well. Staff are also well aware of signs or changes in behaviour that may point to radicalisation or extremism.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548926 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10130792 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 47 Name of registered person Little Adventurers Forest School Ltd.

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reference number

Telephone number 01159559971 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Adventurers Forest School registered in 2017 and is located in Calverton, Nottinghamshire. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold qualifications at level 6, two hold qualified teacher status and two hold qualifications at level 3. Sessions are from 9.30am until 2.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during term time. The setting provides funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education delivered outside and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

9 January 2020 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

9 January 2020 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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