Mini Explorers Crabtree Ltd

Inspection of Mini Explorers Crabtree Ltd J Pybus & Son, Street House Farm, Little Holtby, Northallerton, Yorkshire DL7 9LN

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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

Staff provide children with exciting and engaging activities in a safe, inviting and well-designed farm environment. There is a strong focus on outdoor play. Children develop a great enthusiasm to explore and learn about the world around them. They spread out across the vast outdoor area and find interesting things to see and do. Older children work together to make bird feeders. They use their fingers and thumbs to pick up the tiny seeds and place them into pumpkins. This promotes children's physical development well. Younger children go on a bird hunt around the farm, using binoculars. Staff teach children the names of birds. Children confidently identify owls and starlings on pictures.

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The provision is good

Younger children have fun investigating different materials. Staff working with babies help them to explore coloured rice and foam. They tell children the names of the colours, and sing number rhymes and songs as they play. Toddlers go on a 'bear hunt' through the wooded area. They re-tell the story, acting out parts as they climb over logs. Children are fascinated by the environment around them. For instance, they are curious about a spider they find. Children's behaviour is good. Children are kind and friendly towards each other. Staff regularly praise them for sharing and being kind to others.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff know children well. They use their knowledge of children's interests and development to shape a curriculum that is exciting and extends their learning. However, occasionally, staff do not share information to support all children's individual learning intentions, to raise their development to an even higher level. n Although staff's interactions with children are good, occasionally, staff do not encourage quieter children to join in activities. This means that staff miss opportunities to extend learning experiences for quieter children. n The manager and nominated person understand the importance of self- evaluation. They review the provision to help them to make improvements. The manager uses regular meetings and supervision sessions to support all staff. She encourages staff to reflect on their practice. The manager discusses improvements with staff following room observations. The manager and

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need to do better?

nominated person have a clear vision for the future of the nursery. n Children's literacy skills are developing well. Younger children listen intently to stories and songs. They are encouraged to babble and move to music. Older children are encouraged to write letters from their name and form letter shapes. Children have free access to a range of books, which they look at with staff and independently. n Staff support children to manage hygiene routines for themselves. Children know

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need to do better?

9 November 2021 to wash their hands after going to the toilet and wiping their nose. They select their own activities and dress themselves in outdoor clothing. This helps children to develop their independence skills. n Staff are especially skilled at supporting children's physical skills. They make excellent use of the large outdoor area. Children develop strong physical skills, using big and small muscles as they go on a nature walk. Children learn new words about autumn and nature. Staff help them to talk about what they see in the woods. Children negotiate the natural environment, hunting for sticks and insects. Staff teach children about how to keep themselves safe around the fire pit. This helps children to understand risks and learn about the world around them. n Parents comment that they feel very well supported by the nursery. Children have good bonds with staff and are well cared for. Parents enjoy regular

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need to do better?

updates through an online system. Staff share information with parents to help them to understand how children's learning can be further supported at home. Parents have regular opportunities to talk to their child's key person at drop off and collection times. They are invited to regular parents' meetings to talk in detail about their child's development. n Staff encourage children to remember the rules in nursery. Staff encourage children to 'use kind words' towards their friends. Children are beginning to manage their own feelings and behave well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff place a high priority on safeguarding children and are clear about the procedures to follow, should they have concerns about a child. Staff are confident of the procedures to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff. They keep themselves up to date with recent legislation. For example, staff have a good understanding of the 'Prevent' duty and female genital mutilation. Staff use and understand the risk assessments in place. This keeps children safe in the setting. The manager uses thorough procedures for the recruitment of new staff.

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should:

n help staff to further develop their understanding of the curriculum, so that they are aware of the specific learning intentions for all individual children n focus more closely on supporting quieter and less-confident children to be fully engaged in their play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2512712 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10207821 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 85 Number of children on roll 121 Name of registered person Mini Explorers Crabtree Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01609 749152 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Mini Explorers Crabtree Ltd registered in 2019. The nursery employs 31 members of childcare staff. Of these, 24 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including three with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm. 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 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and the manager about the

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Inspection activities

leadership and management of the setting.

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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

9 November 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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