The Wildlings Nature Nursery

Inspection of The Wildlings Nature Nursery Baggeridge Country Park, Gospel End, Dudley, Staffordshire DY3 4HB

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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 happy, excited and ready to start their day. They are gentle, kind and caring towards one another. For example, children wait for their friends and help them to climb the slopes in the woods. Children have positive attitudes towards their play and learning. They are inquisitive, enjoy exploring the natural environment and remain focused for long periods of time. Children build on what they have been taught as they develop their own ideas. For example, they use their problem-solving skills as they build dens and use tools, such as a bow saw, under close supervision.

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The provision is good

Children develop good physical abilities and confidence to try new experiences. They crawl, run around and jump over logs. Children learn how to assess their abilities and keep themselves safe as they climb trees and explore the natural environment. Children concentrate well and persist with tasks. They use their imagination as they make up stories about what they see on their walks in the meadow, such as a spider.

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The provision is good

Children develop a good awareness of healthy lifestyles and personal hygiene. They know to clean their hands after using the toilet and before they eat. Children develop key skills and attitudes necessary for future learning and their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have high expectations for what children can achieve. They plan a stimulating curriculum that broadens children's experiences. Staff know the children well. They monitor them closely to make sure they remember what they learn and make the best possible progress. The manager ensures that children who are entitled to additional funding receive this, and that it is used to support any gaps in their development. n The manager regularly reflects on the service she provides, involving parents, children and staff to help her to identify where improvements can be made. For example, she has built a woodland fire area so that children can learn to cook healthy meals. Children confidently explain how to pick nettles for the soup without getting stung. n The manager supervises staff performance effectively and provides a focused programme of training to develop staff knowledge and refresh their skills. The

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need to do better?

manager carries out regular observations of staff teaching practice. All staff receive forest school training. n Parents comment that their children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery. However, they do not receive enough precise information to help them to continue to support their children's learning at home.

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need to do better?

23 June 2022 n Staff create a welcoming environment within the woods and children develop strong bonds with them. Staff are kind and caring and manage children's behaviour effectively. Staff offer plenty of praise and encouragement. Children develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. n Staff use their good teaching skills to motivate and engage children. They plan a broad and challenging range of activities that match children's interests and learning needs. Children learn to count, recognise numbers and learn about capacity. However, at times, staff do not always support children to extend their understanding of mathematics beyond their current capabilities. n Children develop high levels of resilience and confidence in their abilities. For example, a child perseveres as they push a wheelbarrow across fields, up slopes and through the woods. n There is a strong focus on promoting children's language skills within the

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need to do better?

nursery. Staff capture children's interest as they read stories with good intonation and enthusiasm. They ask questions that help children to use their thinking skills. Staff encourage children to use their developing language skills to express their opinions and ideas. n Staff use their good questioning skills to encourage children to use their thinking skills and develop their language. During story time, children learn about creatures that are nocturnal. Children link this to their own experiences. For example, a child talks about their 'noisy hamster who wakes me up'. n Staff help children to learn within a natural environment as they explore their surroundings. Children talk about the 'mole hills' and describe the ants they find as 'the littlest creature on earth'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a secure understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. They know where to refer any concerns they may have about a child's welfare. The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to help deem staff suitable to work with children. Staff carry out daily risk assessments to help ensure that the learning environment is safe for children while they play and explore. The manager deploys staff effectively to ensure children are closely supervised at all times. All staff hold first-aid qualifications.

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should:

n provide parents with more precise information about their children's learning so they can continue their child's learning at home n fully support children to extend their understanding of mathematics beyond their current capabilities during play and routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561484 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10191383 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 16 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person The Wildlings Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07807624844 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Wildings Nature Nursery registered in 2018. It operates in the grounds of Baggeridge Country Park in South Staffordshire and follows the forest school ethos. The nursery is open each Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 3pm. It provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The provider employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including one who has qualified teacher status.

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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 led the inspector on a learning walk and told her what they wanted the children to learn at the nursery. The manager and the inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity together. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, deputy manager and staff throughout the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, including qualifications, and viewed evidence of the suitability of those working with children. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day. She also spoke to children about their experiences in 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

23 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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