Blossom Barn Nursery

Inspection of Blossom Barn Nursery Unit 1 Stansted Courtyard, Parsonage Road, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford CM22 6PU

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this setting and learn what they need to be successful in their future. They receive a very warm welcome by staff on arrival and are eager to explore the exciting activities. Children are exceptionally curious and inquisitive, older children ask the inspector lots of questions and babies use their senses to explore the smell and texture of herbs. Children learn about the lives of others, who are different to themselves. They enjoy a visit from a guide dog and their handler. Children cover their eyes and experience what it is like to have impaired vision. Children show an outstanding love of books. They retell familiar stories and fill in repeated refrains as staff read them their chosen book. Children persevere when they find something challenging. Older children use different tools to loosen screws and bolts. Babies work out, through trial and error, how to replace the toy eggs in the correct space in the egg box.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop a deep understanding of the natural world. They grind grains of wheat in a pestle and mortar and learn how this is transformed by a mill to produce flour. Staff are exceptional in building on children's experiences. For example, they arrange a visit from a farm and children learn that goats produce milk, they then use goat's milk to make butter. Children know to stay safe in the sun and take turns to be the safety inspector. This helps them to understand how to identify and manage risk safely themselves. Children are highly capable and independent learners. They confidently manage their personal needs, prepare their own snack and serve themselves nutritious meals. Babies are incredibly competent as they use cutlery from a young age to feed themselves.

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need to do better?

n Staff have an excellent understanding of what each child knows and needs to learn next. An impressive well-designed curriculum is in place that provides children with a highly effective level of challenge. Children's needs and interests are at the heart of the extensive range of activities and experiences. These have a very clear purpose that enables children to make rapid progress. An enhanced learning programme is in place, which offers children superb opportunities to broaden their existing experiences. For example, children develop excellent physical skills that increase their flexibility and strengthen core muscles during fun dance and balance bike sessions. n Children benefit greatly from the outstanding focus placed on meeting and developing their emotional needs. Staff introduce innovative ways to promote children's emotional well-being. Respectful interactions with Bodee, the setting's well-being dog, has a positive impact in helping children to experience a sense

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need to do better?

of calm, and provide emotional support during challenging times in children's lives. As a result, children are confident and resilient individuals.

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need to do better?

30 August 2022 n Children's behaviour is impeccable. Older children are able to regulate their own behaviour, they play harmoniously together as they listen and value each other's ideas. Staff have high expectations of all children. Their consistent approach helps children to understand the boundaries in place. Younger children happily take turns to use the glue sticks and babies actively help to tidy up what they have finished playing with. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents are involved in every aspect of their children's time at this setting. They receive excellent communication from staff,both verbally and through regular updates on an online portal. Staff give parents constant support and ideas of how to complement their children's learning at home. Parents describe the setting as a 'unique and special place' where staff are 'incredible' and 'always go above and beyond' to ensure

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need to do better?

children's needs are fully met. n Staff are highly skilled at supporting children's communication and language development from an early age. Staff speak warmly and clearly to children. Babies swiftly link words together and younger children are confident speakers. They use descriptive language to explain to others what their home looks like. Older children's vocabulary rapidly expands as they are introduced to new words in their play, such as 'silo' and 'husks'. All staff are competent in sign language, which they use effectively as additional communication for children. n The inspirational manager has embedded a rigorous system to support the development of staff. She takes pride in her team, who work together exceptionally well. Staff have excellent opportunities to continue to build on their skills and knowledge. Training is targeted to support the individual needs of children and families. The manager has a superb knowledge of staff's personal

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need to do better?

learning styles and tailors training to meet these. This means that staff confidently perform to their full potential. The manager actively promotes staff's well-being through appreciation schemes, in addition to specialised external support, available 24 hours a day should they wish to access this. Staff comment that they 'love working at the setting' and feel very supported and valued.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that safeguarding children is a priority within the setting. She ensures that staff's safeguarding knowledge remains up to date through induction training that is frequently revisited during staff meetings and supervisions. Staff have a strong understanding of the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures. They know the correct action to take should they have any concerns about children or adults associated with children's care. The manager keeps herself updated with current safeguarding concerns within the local community and shares this with staff. Rigorous recruitment procedures are in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Parents receive guidance on how to keep their children safe while using the internet at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2639902 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10246880 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Blossom Barn Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01279 870077 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Blossom Barn Nursery registered in 2021. The setting is open from 7.30am until 6.30pm all year round, except for bank holidays and one week over the Christmas period. There are 18 staff members who work directly with the children; of these, 12 hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting 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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk across all the areas of the setting to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She joined staff and children on a walk to a forest school session. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in

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Inspection activities

the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and their written feedback.

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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

30 August 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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