Meadow Lane Children's Nursery

Inspection of Meadow Lane Children's Nursery The Old Pig Farm, Meadow Lane, St Ives PE27 4LG

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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 truly at the heart of this very special, unique and awe-inspiring provision. They thrive as they thoroughly enjoy the huge range of indoor and outdoor learning opportunities. Children are wonderfully muddy, covered in paint and joyfully engaged in their learning. They make impressive progress in every aspect of their learning and development, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show sheer excitement, awe and wonder as they experiment with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to change the colour of red cabbage water or to create overflowing froth. Children love their visits to the provision's farm animals, they watch chickens lay eggs around them, feed the goats and play a very active and hands-on role in the rearing of piglets.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop such a true sense of the world around them as they grow produce in the large kitchen garden and learn to manage risks and outdoor challenges around the farm and forest school area. Children thoroughly enjoy their wonderful meals and snacks in their own farm café, which is run by dedicated staff.

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The provision is outstanding

All children, from the youngest babies to the children preparing for school, develop a strong exploratory impulse and a real thirst and love of learning. This is because staff are absolutely dedicated to ensuring that the environments they provide, give children a truly exhilarating early years experience.

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need to do better?

n It is absolutely evident that all staff love working in this provision. They achieve their shared vision of providing a very special early years education for the children they care for. They know all of the children and their families so well and this enables them to provide the utmost caring and nurturing provision. The support and dedication of key persons, to ensure that activities and care meets the needs of each child, is second to none. n The leadership and management of this provision is highly successful. Staff are inspired by the manager who places high value on each member of staff's unique skills, knowledge, talents and well-being. As a result, staff take ownership of everything they do and cannot wait to share and develop ideas to further benefit children and their parents. n The quality of teaching is worthy of dissemination to others. Staff are extremely well qualified and use their excellent knowledge of early years in every

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need to do better?

interaction they have with children. This benefits every area of children's learning at all ages and is why children achieve as they do while at this provision.

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need to do better?

11 February 2020 n Recruitment and induction procedures are extensive and highly effective. Stringent 'benefit risk assessments' and hygiene procedures ensure that children benefit from a safe but challenging and highly engaging environment where they play a full and active role. They learn how to feed farm animals, how to use the fire pit and how to climb and negotiate obstacles safely. n Babies flourish. They have lovely relationships with staff, which gives them the confidence as they explore their environment. Staff have high expectations of their ability to contribute. For example, as staff read a favourite story 'Dear zoo…' they leave off the last word of the repeated refrain and very young children vocalise their response. n Young toddlers show high levels of perseverance and concentration as they experiment in their water play. They thoroughly enjoy singing and learn how to sing 'hello' in different languages. Older toddlers show their ability to complete

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need to do better?

complex puzzles, given their age, and are proud of their achievements. They use flour, sugar, oil and water to create a dough mix and comment that it looks like 'porridge'. Pre-school children make dog biscuits and demonstrate extensive knowledge. For example, they know that adding garlic helps dogs to have a smooth and glossy coat. n Partnerships with parents are exemplary. The management team is very visible at all times and has extensive ways of sharing communication with parents so that they play a full part in their children's early years experience. This provision never stands still. Since opening, the manager and staff develop amazing ideas that they gain from parents, others or training initiatives. For example, a 'reflection' diary and 'enquiry' book are inspirationally completed in each room to evaluate activities and to ensure that children's thoughts and next steps are at the heart of forward planning.

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need to do better?

n Comments from parents about the provision are overwhelmingly positive. Some go well out of their way to bring their child to this provision because they recognise its uniqueness. Comments include, 'Why sit down inside when you can be outside digging and getting dirty?' as well as 'The effort, care and attention that goes into looking after my son and supporting his development is first class' and 'Staff go above and beyond to ensure every child thrives'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all aspects of safeguarding and who to report any concerns to they may have about a child or a colleague's behaviour towards children. Protecting children from harm is at the heart of the provision, while ensuring that children have amazing opportunities to develop their own understanding of keeping themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545800 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10111195 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 to 4 Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 101 Name of registered person Covill, Sophia Anne

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reference number

Telephone number 07576659729 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Meadow Lane Children's Nursery registered in 2017. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager and deputy who both hold qualifications at level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round from 8am until 6pm. When there is demand, a holiday club operates during school holidays. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and deputy. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a parent during the inspection and took account of other parents' views through written feedback they had provided.

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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

11 February 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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