Nurture in Nature - Forest School

Inspection of Nurture in Nature - Forest School Nurture in Nature, Cuckoo Down Lane, Honiton, Devon EX14 9TT

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are compromised due to weaknesses in staff's knowledge of safeguarding. Staff, including those with lead safeguarding roles, do not understand the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation. As a result, they are unable to report any potential concerns appropriately about adults working with children.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff do not plan or implement an ambitious and broad curriculum that takes account of what children need to learn next. They help children to develop some skills. However, staff do not consider what children know and can do and the support that every child needs to help them make good progress in their learning. Staff do not have a secure understanding of the key-person system or work closely with other professionals to meet each child's individual needs well enough.

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The provision is inadequate

Children arrive happily and excitedly and settle quickly. They are keen to greet the friendly staff. Children explore the natural environment and make independent choices in their play. They are confident to try to solve problems in their self- chosen play, such as working out how to stick natural items together. Children recite number names in the correct order when playing ball games with staff. They play well with their friends and learn to share and take turns with staff's support. Children form positive relationships with staff and giggle with delight when staff chase them playfully. They listen to staff, follow their instructions and understand the expectations and routines.

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need to do better?

n Children's safety is put at risk because the staff team does not have a secure understanding of the local safeguarding partnership procedures. Although they have completed appropriate safeguarding training, they do not know the process to follow if a concern is raised about a member of staff. n Overall, the manager and staff assess children's learning and development accurately. However, the key-person system is not fully effective to meet children's learning needs. The provider does not make sure that staff assess every child's development quickly enough when they start, to enable them to get to know the children and identify their next steps in learning. Children spend much of the session playing and exploring contentedly but, at times, they are left to play alone for long periods without any adult input to support and extend their learning. n At times, staff target some children's next steps in learning appropriately. For

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need to do better?

example, they plan a threading activity to help develop children's dexterity and provide balance beams to support children's coordination and physical skills. However, staff do not plan a challenging and varied curriculum based on what

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need to do better?

13 October 2022 they know every child needs to learn next. Staff join in with children's play but do not recognise how to help to extend children's knowledge and skills consistently or promote their positive attitudes to learning. n Staff are enthusiastic about nature and keen to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Children play together imaginatively and enjoy learning about the properties of natural items. For example, they are curious to know what the inside of crab apples look like, so staff help them learn to use a knife safely to cut the apples in half. n Staff model the pronunciation of sounds and new words to support children's language development. For example, when children play with toy cars, staff talk about 'oil', 'fuel' and 'diesel'. Children express their thoughts and needs confidently. n The manager and staff identify any concerns about children's development appropriately. However, they do not share what they know about children with

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need to do better?

other professionals and settings in a timely way, to ensure that children receive the input they need to meet their individual needs. n Staff gently remind children to use good manners and encourage them to share and act on their ideas, such as building a ramp for the toy cars using various resources. n Staff support children to assess and take risks. For example, children try to walk backwards down a narrow, wooden ramp, but they wobble and put their hands out for staff's help. Staff reassure them kindly and encourage them to put their arms out to help them balance and to try again. n Parents comment positively about the setting. They say that their children enjoy attending, make friends with the other children and speak fondly about staff when at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider has not ensured that all staff, including those with lead safeguarding roles, understand what an allegation is and the correct process to follow if a concern about a staff member is raised. The staff team has a suitable knowledge of child protection matters, to enable them to identify and report concerns about children's welfare. Recruitment and vetting procedures are implemented effectively. Staff understand how to carry out risk assessments and they empower children to identify and decide how to manage any minor hazards that they come across in the natural environment.

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Due date

13 October 2022 improve the knowledge of the designated safeguarding lead and staff to ensure they are able to recognise allegations and understand the process to follow in the event that concerns are raised about an adult's conduct with children 04/11/2022

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Due date

improve the planning of the curriculum to provide challenging and stimulating experiences that take account of all children's needs 25/11/2022

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Due date

support staff to ensure they implement the key-person system effectively, to assess every child promptly and meet their individual learning needs 25/11/2022

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Due date

develop the sharing of information with other professionals and settings, to meet the individual needs of children who need additional support. 25/11/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2597749 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10251454 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Nurture in Nature Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07801 264654 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Nurture in Nature - Forest School registered in 2020 and is situated on the outskirts of Honiton, Devon. It is open from 9am to 3.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9am to 3pm on Friday, term time only. There are three staff members employed to work with children. Of these, two hold relevant childcare qualifications. The third staff member holds a forest school qualification. The setting is in receipt of funding for children aged three and four years.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the manager. n The manager talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The manager and the inspector observed staff and children's interactions during an activity to reflect on the quality of teaching and learning. n Children spoke with the inspector and welcomed her to join in with their games. n The inspector spoke with staff and parents to take account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager and registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

13 October 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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