Barnardiston Hall

Inspection of Barnardiston Hall Barnardiston Hall, Barnardiston, Nr Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7TG

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are curious and happily investigate their surroundings. They benefit from plenty of opportunities to explore outdoor play and aspects of the natural world. For example, toddlers enjoy using magnifying glasses to look closely at the woodlouse they find under the outdoor mats. They begin to use simple mathematical language as they compare and talk about the length of two worms.

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The provision is good

In the main, children experience a broad curriculum which reflects the high expectations staff have for their learning. The youngest children show great levels of enthusiasm and enjoyment as they join in with daily singing activities. They practise and refine their early speaking skills while repeating the words they hear in songs they already know well.

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The provision is good

From a young age, children are skilfully supported to feel safe in expressing their emotions. They intuitively notice when others are upset and often look to comfort them with a smile or cuddle. This reflects the nurturing support they receive from their key person and shows that they form very secure emotional bonds. Toddlers respond well to the positive boundaries set by staff. They show growing levels of self-control when learning to share toys and follow safety rules.

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need to do better?

n Several children have attended the nursery throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The nursery manager and staff have worked hard to adapt and continue to make sure children's health and emotional well-being are a priority. Children benefit from the effective actions put in place to protect them, including increased handwashing and social distancing when appropriate. n Since the last inspection, the nursery manager has successfully led staff to review and improve the quality of education. Staff work hard to make sure that the resources and interactions are carefully matched to children's interests and learning needs. Overall, staff are clear on what they intend for children to learn. They explain that they offer plenty of everyday resources to help inspire children's curiosity and learning across the curriculum. n Skilled support from staff helps children to embrace new experiences, including

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need to do better?

children who are less confident. Staff offer reassurance and demonstrate tasks to help children understand what will happen if they have a go. For example, children are encouraged to touch the ice gradually before staff demonstrate how to use it to make marks on paper. With this gentle encouragement, children eagerly get involved and enjoy practising their finer physical skills. n Staff make effective use of observation and assessment. This helps them to identify when gaps are emerging in children's learning. For example, they plan purposeful opportunities for toddlers to make more rapid progress in their

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need to do better?

17 May 2021 personal development. This includes a strong focus on working in partnership with parents to support children with learning to use the toilet. n Carefully tailored intervention is provided for children who have specific medical and dietary needs. Staff continuously exchange information with parents and healthcare professionals. This helps to ensure the care and support provided are precisely matched to children's individual and changing needs. n Overall, staff support children's growing awareness of diversity in society. They plan some interesting activities for children to explore traditional fabrics and foods from around the world. However, they do not fully consider how younger children can develop an early awareness of similarities and differences in more meaningful ways. n The well-qualified staff are led effectively by the nursery manager and morale is strong among the team. They welcome opportunities to get together to discuss

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need to do better?

and evaluate the effectiveness of their practice. All staff have regular meetings with the nursery manager. These provide valuable opportunities for staff to discuss their own performance and review the ambitious plans for their professional development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Regular child protection training helps all staff to quickly recognise when a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Staff are mindful to understand and consider how the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a negative impact on the welfare of some children and families. The nursery manager is knowledgeable about the agencies to contact if there are concerns about a child or if an allegation is made against a member of staff. Staff ensure they pass useful information on to parents to further protect children. This includes guidance sessions to help parents to ensure their children access online activities safely.

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should:

n support staff to develop meaningful opportunities for younger children to begin to explore similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY356342 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10194986 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01440 786 316 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Barnardiston Hall registered in 2007. The nursery operates from purpose-built premises within the grounds of Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School. There are 10 members of childcare staff who work in the nursery. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are offered from 7am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The nursery manager and the inspector completed a tour of the nursery and discussed how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The staff and children spoke to the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Parents shared their views with the inspector in discussion and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of all adults working at the nursery.

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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

17 May 2021 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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