Young Haymakers Nursery & Montessori School

Inspection of Young Haymakers Nursery & Montessori School Kirby Farm, Foxhunt Green, Waldron, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0RU

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy and flourish in this high-quality nursery. Children form extremely strong bonds with the caring staff, who welcome them with smiles and cuddles. Children settle easily and have superb opportunities to play and learn in the exceptionally well-designed environment. They are highly motivated to learn through exciting sensory exploration and experiences that spark their curiosity.

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The provision is outstanding

Even the youngest children make independent choices and readily share resources. Older children help their friends to join in and negotiate roles in their play. Children take turns in cooperative games and applaud the achievements of others enthusiastically. They play together extremely well.

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The provision is outstanding

Children make regular and inspirational trips to the woodland. These are an integral part of the provision. They provide a wealth of opportunities for children to learn, through exploration of the world around them. For example, they look carefully at plants along their way, collecting some on their 'journey sticks' to study further. Children listen carefully to sounds around them. They creatively describe the sound of children's boots as they walk on broken tiles on the path. Children confidently discuss why the farmer might have placed them there. At the woodland camp, children develop imaginative play as they excitedly find 'fairy doors' that have appeared in the trees. Children develop a deep love of learning outdoors.

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need to do better?

n The passionate management team share their wealth of knowledge and clear ethos to ensure all areas of staff practice are consistent and of high quality. Targets set for staff are highly focused on continually improving outcomes for children. Staff benefit from excellent opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and qualifications further. Children's learning and development is significantly enhanced by the resulting staff knowledge, confidence and sense of well-being. n The skilful staff consistently add challenge and help children to make links, remember and build on previous learning. They actively encourage them to think and experiment. For example, children notice their play dough is sticky. They try adding items, such as rose petals, to no avail. Staff suggest thinking about what they use to make dough and children successfully add flour. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make

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need to do better?

impressive progress in their learning and development. n Staff use books and stories exceptionally well as a vital part of learning through every area of the nursery. They often use stories as prompts or to enhance an activity. Children develop a love of words and show excellent concentration as they listen to frequent, animated story reading. Older children learn how books

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need to do better?

16 June 2022 work and confidently write their own stories. n Staff provide exciting opportunities to encourage children's speech and language development. Children engage in lively conversations, sharing their experiences. Toddlers learn new vocabulary, such as cocoon, as they look after real caterpillars. They remember the new names as they explore, making light shadows of butterflies on the wall. n Staff support children to develop extremely secure social skills. Children quickly make friends and become part of the nursery 'family'. They show an impressive sense of belonging as they happily sit together, listen carefully and take turns to respond at group times. Children are active, inquisitive learners and are very well prepared for the next stage of their education. n Managers and staff have a calm manner. They role model respect and kindness and help children to understand their behaviour. Staff sensitively help children to

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need to do better?

recognise and self-regulate their feelings. For example, children learn and practise yoga to help themselves stay calm. Children learn to be extremely independent. For example, they get themselves ready for the woodland walk and know they need hats and sun cream to stay safe. n Parents speak extremely highly of the nursery and the 'amazing' staff. Shared planning with parents, particularly for children with SEND, helps to ensure continuity of practice and that children's needs are fully met. The nursery is a valued part of the community. For example, the local church minister blessed a tree as part of the recent Jubilee celebration party at the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a strong culture of safeguarding. They always have children's safety and well-being in mind. Staff carry out risk assessments and support children to begin to manage their own risks. For example, they learn to negotiate steps outside safely. Managers follow safe recruitment practice to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff have regular training and know what to do if they have any concern about a child's welfare. Managers and staff actively work with families and other agencies to ensure any early intervention needed happens promptly. The premises are well maintained and secure.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY455605 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10108835 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Young Haymakers Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01435 812555 Date of previous inspection 17 May 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Young Haymakers Nursery & Montessori School registered in 2012. It operates in Waldron near Heathfield, East Sussex. The nursery is open on Monday to Friday from 8am until 5pm for 48 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 11 members of staff, 10 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n Managers and the inspector viewed the nursery and discussed the curriculum. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children and considered the impact on learning. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of an activity and discussed how she monitors and improves staff practice. n Some parents and children spoke to the inspector and she took their views into account.

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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

16 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.

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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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