The Treehouse Club Forestry Nursery And Out Of School Club

Inspection of The Treehouse Club Forestry Nursery And Out Of School Club Thriftwood Scout Centre, Orchard Avenue, Brentwood, Essex CM13 2DP

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle quickly, make bonds with staff and form strong friendships. This is due to a highly effective settling-in system and transition process between rooms. Children and parents get to know their key person early on. Children access a wide range of stimulating, and often natural, resources with confidence. Staff know children well and are receptive to their individual likes and needs. Staff are animated and encouraging with their interactions.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They are aware of the rules and expectations from the start. Staff act as positive role models for sharing, turn-taking and confidently exploring sensory activities. Children become confident explorers and benefit from the regular outdoor opportunities. They are encouraged to risk assess areas for themselves. This results in children having a deep understanding of safety, and danger, both inside and outdoors.

p.2

The provision is good

Children access a well-resourced garden. They have opportunities to dig, climb, watch worms in the wormery, water strawberries and create meals in the mud kitchen. Children also benefit from an extensive forest area for exploring and learning. Children develop forestry knowledge and skills for life. A specialist forest school teacher takes children on adventures weekly to learn skills such as making fires, whittling and baking bread. Children thoroughly enjoy attending the setting and getting involved in the wide variety of activities on offer.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide well-designed and resourced rooms that cater for children's development at all ages. Each room has challenging aspects, and low-level accessible resources. As a result, children are confident, independent explorers from early on and are stimulated by their environment. n The nursery has a clear and effective allergy and healthcare support system. Families are introduced to the nursery cook to share information about food allergies or preferences, and these are catered for with a coloured plate system. Children with health needs have care plans that are understood and followed by staff. Therefore, all children safely enjoy a variety of healthy snacks and meals both indoors and outside. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents are highly appreciative of the team. The nursery has created a parent board to voice opinions and suggestions for improvements. The system has improved communications and has resulted in

p.2

need to do better?

stronger relationships. Leaders now regularly plan for activities where they invite parents to join in with forestry activities. For example, mums joined children for a walk in the forest to find children's favourite spots. They are also going to invite dads for a Father's Day breakfast in the woods.

p.2

need to do better?

7 June 2022 n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, or those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress. Children benefit from 'talking pegs' in their home language, and flash cards to aid understanding of routines throughout the day. Staff are highly receptive to the children's needs. They work closely to ensure the children are settled, supported and content at nursery. n Leaders have good understanding of how children learn and that all children learn differently. Individualised planning, observation and tracking processes allow staff to see progress and if there is extra support needed. As a result, children make successful progress across the areas of learning and develop the necessary skills for the next stages of their education. n Staff welfare has high priority at the nursery. Management have recently appointed a welfare officer who supports each of the five settings and checks in

p.2

need to do better?

with staff regularly. The nursery also has 'appreciation baskets' with gifts for staff and 'star awards'. These are awarded to staff regularly. There is also a free online counselling service available. Staff report that they appreciate the support and feel that management listen and support them in their roles. n Staff engage in meaningful conversations with children, teaching new skills and encouraging children to become independent explorers. Some staff consistently promote problem-solving and take children's thinking and learning to deeper levels. Members of the leadership team act as effective role models for high- level interactions. They step into rooms to support staff to develop confidence and knowledge of the curriculum, but often end up taking a lead role. Consequently, this prevents staff from gaining the skills and experience they need to develop their practice to higher levels.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have strong knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. They have a good understanding of the wider aspects of safeguarding, including the risk of radicalisation and being drawn into drug trafficking. The safety of children and staff is paramount, with stringent risk assessments and children's own risk assessing of areas. Staff also carry the vital medicines and care plans for children on any walks. They have specialised 'walk bags' containing first-aid kits, a walkie- talkie, an emergency phone, whistles, glow sticks and a storm kit to cover all possible dangers when outside.

p.3

should:

n support staff to develop confidence in their skills and knowledge of the curriculum to take the quality of interactions and teaching to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2495354 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10190922 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 97 Name of registered person The Tree House Premier Child Care Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01277402016 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Treehouse Club Forestry Nursery and Out Of School Club registered in 2018 and is one of five settings run by the same limited company. It is located in Brentwood, Essex. The nursery employs 22 members of staff. Of these, 14 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are between 7am and 7pm. A holiday club is also provided from 8am until 5pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The nursery development officer and deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk to discuss the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of an outdoor activity. n Staff, children and parents spoke to the inspector at appropriate times. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

7 June 2022 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6