Nest In The Woods

Inspection of Nest In The Woods Grappenhall 25th Scout Hut, Church Lane, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 3EP

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children relish having access to a natural outdoor learning environment within the forest school. Expert staff deliver exciting experiences that some children may not experience anywhere else. Children show high levels of confidence and resilience, with a motivation to learn new skills. They truly thrive in this highly inspirational and safe learning environment. Children feel confident to voice their feelings, knowing that they will be listened to. Staff are kind, gentle and encourage children to talk about and recognise what their bodies feel like. For example, children tell the staff that their tummies are rumbling and they are feeling hungry for some snack.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They form exceptional relationships with each other and staff, who are nurturing role models. Children recognise the importance of understanding risk. For example, children at the front of the group notice a broken fence while walking in the woods and call out to each other, shouting 'watch out for the broken fence'.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff skilfully consider how the use of the environment and resources makes a powerful contribution to children's independence, well-being and learning. Children immerse themselves in their play. They explore and experiment with enthusiasm. For instance, children climb the trees with confidence, on the lookout for others, while in the woods. This successfully helps children to develop their physical skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide outstanding teaching. Through a detailed understanding of children's progress, staff are able to expertly seize every opportunity to provide a wide range of activities that strengthen children's learning. Staff build superbly on what children already know and can do. Children access an exciting, bespoke curriculum, delivered in a creative forest school environment. For instance, during a planned activity, staff invite children to help peel and core apples ready for snack. They talk about the colours and varieties of apples and where they come from. n Children have unlimited opportunities to access fresh air, green spaces and exercise. Staff place a strong emphasis on children's well-being. Children learn how to respect the environment they are playing in, by removing all traces of them having played there. Children learn the importance of healthy eating and enjoy nutritious and balanced home-prepared packed lunches. This allows

p.2

need to do better?

children to make healthier choices. n Leadership and management are exceptional. Staff receive precisely targeted support. Leaders promote a work-life balance and have invested in staff's well- being following the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, they have altered staff

p.2

need to do better?

26 July 2022 working hours to give them a greater quality of work-life balance. The manager expertly tailors training to meet the needs of children. Staff speak passionately about upcoming training opportunities to continue to improve their practice. n Children have high levels of respect for staff and each other. They confidently approach staff, share and cooperate with each other. Children manage their own self-care well. For example, they independently wipe their own noses and then wash their hands. Children offer each other praise and encouragement when carrying out tasks. For example, when they are balancing along a beam between trees, they call out chants to encourage their peers across. This gives children a sense of pride and achievement. n Staff provide excellent support for children's developing communication and language skills. Their interactions with children are thoughtful, timely and sensitive. Staff help to expand children's vocabularies by modelling language and

p.2

need to do better?

introducing new words regularly. For example, they talk to children about conkers. Children learn that conkers grow on horse chestnut trees and explain that the reason conkers have spikes around their shell is 'to stop predators eating them'. n Partnerships with parents are a real strength of the nursery. Parents enthusiastically share their views. They comment on the clear online communication systems in place to ensure they are part of their children's learning journey. Parents comment on the special ethos of the nursery. They find all of the staff approachable and appreciate the hard work the team puts in to create outstanding opportunities for children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There are comprehensive risk assessments, which ensure children are kept safe while accessing the various outdoor areas of the forest school. Staff encourage children to understand risks well and they identify them while out on their walk into the woods. Children's capabilities are assessed to ensure they are emotionally and developmentally ready to take part in any of the activities. Promoting children's safety and welfare is given the utmost priority at all times. Staff have a comprehensive understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow to safeguard children. They understand the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. There are rigorous recruitment, vetting and induction processes in place to ensure all staff employed are of the highest quality and suitable to work with children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY490665 Local authority Warrington Inspection number 10236680 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 15 Number of children on roll 43

p.4

Name of registered person

Nest In The Woods Community Interest Company

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07954 160118 Date of previous inspection 14 September 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Nest In The Woods was registered in 2015 and is in the Grappenhall area of Warrington. The setting employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds a forest school qualification at level 3, as well as qualified teacher status. The remaining two staff are qualified at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

26 July 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