The Willows Outdoor Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of The Willows Outdoor Nursery & Pre-School 244 Blackburn Road, Blackburn, Lancashire BB6 7LX

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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 arrive at nursery and separate from their parents well. They settle happily with attentive and caring staff. Younger children develop positive relationships with their key person, and begin to explore the activities on offer. Activities are planned to children's current interests. Staff use familiar and new words to expand children's vocabulary. There is a strong focus for children of all ages to communicate positively. They develop conversational skills and enjoyment in learning new words and concepts. This helps children to develop understanding in ideas wider than they might otherwise encounter.

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The provision is good

Staff use their unique knowledge of each child's abilities to plan next steps, with children's interests in mind. Staff recount prior learning and build on this to ensure children understand what they have already learned. This helps children to be confident in their skills and ready for their next stage in learning. This includes those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, at times, staff do not enhance learning to extend further what children can learn in their activities and play. Children who have not attended due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus) pandemic, show good progress, especially with speech and language. Children feel safe, valued and confident with their friends and staff.

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need to do better?

n The whole team aim for children to be confident communicators. Staff focus teaching on introducing new concepts and language. Children recount their favourite stories in their own way. This helps children to understand different ideas and think in a wider context. n Staff encourage children to create friendships and play well together. Children mix magical glitter potions outdoors, taking turns to add mud and water. They use various containers, deciding to add more or less depending on the amount needed. Children give and follow instructions from each other to concoct the perfect potion mixture. Children learn language from each other, listen and respond with ideas and opinions. This helps children to develop mutual respect, their vocabulary and understanding. At times, staff do not extend learning in children's chosen activities to help build on children's existing knowledge. n Children benefit from experiences they would not otherwise have. For example,

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need to do better?

they grow vegetables and fruit in the allotment and have them with their meals. They learn about life cycles as they look after frogs in their pond. They dig for worms, realising that using water while digging makes the ground soft. n Staff encourage children to explore their own interests through learning. They persevere while rolling cars down the gutter run and try again when the car falls off. They are curious and persistent. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour, quickly identifying children who struggle to share. They listen to what

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need to do better?

11 August 2021 children say and encourage compromise, helping children to develop empathy. n Children have good levels of motivation and confidence. They challenge themselves when balancing on logs and tree stumps. Children recognise when they need rest as they retreat into a den or sit and swing quietly. Children have a good sense of self and know what their bodies are capable of. At times, staff do not recognise tasks that help to encourage children's independence. n Staff report a manageable workload, and that they help each other when needed. There is a clear sense of teamwork as staff positively support each other. The manager is very proud of her team and has high expectations of their practice. She plans their professional development to develop knowledge across the whole team. The manager's vision for the nursery is shared and embraced by all staff. n Parents are very complimentary about the nursery and team. They appreciate

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need to do better?

the communication they receive. Parents feel informed and updated on their child's progress. They feel their child is ready for the next stage in learning, including their transition to school. They especially enjoy the outdoor stay and play sessions that have recently started.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The whole team has good knowledge of what may be a concern with a child, adult, or staff member. They know the nursery procedure to follow, how and when to report a concern to the safeguarding officer. They know where to find information on local processes regarding safeguarding. They have completed safeguarding training and update their knowledge in regular staff meetings, along with information and training on wider safeguarding issues. The building is secure and well maintained, and COVID-19 risk assessments and procedures are embedded. This helps to maintain the safety and health of everyone in the nursery.

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should:

n strengthen staff's ability to identify opportunities to extend children's learning even further across all age ranges n support staff to recognise opportunities to further promote children's independence, particularly during self-care routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559217 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10190419 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

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inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Little Brook Children's Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01254 603483 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Willows Outdoor Nursery & Pre-School registered in 2018 due to a change in company status. The nursey employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these seven hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and manager undertook a learning walk of the setting and discussed the intent and implementation of the curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents about their experiences of care, education and involvement at the nursery. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation and evaluated practice to assess the quality of teaching and learning. n Discussions were held with managers and staff by the inspector to assess the effectiveness of safeguarding processes, self-evaluation, staff supervision and training. n Assessments of children's progress from their starting points were discussed with key persons and the senco to evaluate the impact of the curriculum on

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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 August 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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