Forest Barn Nursery School

Inspection of Forest Barn Nursery School The Barn Tooks Farm, Great Warley Street, BRENTWOOD, Essex CM13 3JP

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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 are greeted by warm and welcoming staff as they arrive at the nursery. They settle quickly and make independent play choices from a good range of age- appropriate resources. Children develop close relationships with staff, who know them well. They smile and laugh as they play and interact with staff and each other.

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The provision is good

Children are confident learners, who are keen to explore. For example, during a melting experiment, older children talk about hot and cold and then watch intently to see what happens when warm water is poured over snow. Children of all ages develop a love of books. Babies snuggle onto the laps of staff and confidently lift the flaps on board books and show interest in the pictures. Older children enjoy listening to stories and enter into meaningful conversations afterwards about the story and characters. This helps to promote their recall and understanding.

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The provision is good

Children have opportunities to play in a variety of interesting outside areas within the farmland setting. They particularly enjoy playing inside a converted Nissen Hut. Children have fun as they enthusiastically peddle ride-on tractors, fill buckets with hay and climb up the stairs to play in the wooden playhouse. This promotes children's imagination and helps to support their physical development.

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need to do better?

n There is a strong leadership and management structure in place. Leaders and managers have a high expectation and clear vision to provide high-quality care and learning for children. The leadership team works with the managers to review procedures and provide advice and support. This helps to continually raise the quality of the provision and improve the experiences for children. n The management team use regular observations and supervision meetings to give staff support. They ensure staff have access to training to improve their knowledge and skills. Staff advise they feel supported, and their well-being is considered. They are enthusiastic in their roles and this helps to promote a happy atmosphere throughout the nursery. n Staff know children well. They use assessment effectively to identify children's next steps in learning and plan activities to incisively support their individual learning needs. However, at times, staff do not always focus precisely on what

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need to do better?

children know and need to learn next when they plan group activities. At these times, children are not supported as well to make the best possible progress. n Staff support children's communication and language skills well. They speak clearly and model words for children to repeat. Children of all ages enjoy singing. They sing familiar songs and enthusiastically join in with the actions. As a result, children become confident communicators and readily chat to visitors.

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need to do better?

14 December 2022 n In the pre-school room, staff support older children to recognise numbers, hold a pencil and recognise and say some letter sounds. Staff encourage children to listen and respond to others during circle times and to develop a positive attitude to learning. As a result, children develop the skills they need to start school confidently. n Children behave well. They listen and respond willingly to staff requests, share the resources and take turns. Staff help children to gain an understanding of when they might be at risk. For example, before going outside, staff explain that the snow has frozen and become slippery, so they must walk very carefully. As a result, children develop an understanding of how to help keep themselves safe. n The nursery chef provides healthy, nutritional meals and snacks throughout the day. Mealtimes are sociable occasions in all rooms in the nursery and independence is encouraged in all age groups. Older children serve their own

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need to do better?

food and pour their own drinks. Babies and young children are encouraged to feed themselves and to experience different foods. n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents are highly complimentary about the care and education their children receive. They comment that they receive regular updates about their child's progress and staff provide ideas for how they can support their child's learning at home. This promotes continuity in children's learning and helps them to make the most progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard and protect children. They know how to identify the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know how to appropriately monitor and report any concerns about children's safety and well-being. The management team provides ongoing support for staff to ensure their safeguarding knowledge remains up to date with any changes in legislation. Robust recruitment systems are in place to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n support staff to focus more precisely on what children know and need to learn next when they plan group activities, to help them make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2690850 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10267075 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 66 Number of children on roll 106 Name of registered person Storal Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01277500221 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Forest Barn Nursery School registered in 2022. It operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for one week at Christmas and for bank holidays. The nursery employs 18 members of staff, of whom 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery receives funding 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises and the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed the suitability of staff working 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

14 December 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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