Treehoppers Forest Kindergarten

Inspection of Treehoppers Forest Kindergarten Borde Hill Gardens, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP

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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 and are keen to start their day at this welcoming nursery. They share their broad knowledge of the weather with the staff who warmly greet them. Children have a positive attitude to learning and they explore the natural area with confidence, showing a strong interest in the world. Children help staff to plant various seeds. Staff are skilful at helping children to recall the different steps, such as adding water and keeping the seeds warm in the greenhouse to help them grow. Children develop a good understanding about the changing seasons, living things and their environment.

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The provision is good

The well-planned outdoor environment offers lots of risk and challenge. Children use their problem-solving skills as they climb the dome frame. They concentrate as they use rakes in the sand and push wheelbarrows up small hills. They have lots of opportunities to strengthen their large and small muscles in preparation for later learning.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children. They teach children how to assess risks and follow rules to help keep themselves safe. For instance, children joyfully sing the camp rules and follow these while at the nursery. Children behave well. They are respectful and listen to the staff and their friends as they talk.

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need to do better?

n The manager has created an ambitious curriculum that focuses on children's physical, personal, social and emotional development. Staff can share what they want children to learn and the progress they have made. However, some planned group times are not always as successful, as staff do not consider what they know about children to help them tailor group times to what children know and can do. n Staff interaction with children is good. They help children to recall their prior learning well. For instance, children ask staff for their favourite stories so they can look at the different pictures. Staff have these ready to hand so children can continue their learning. This has a positive impact on children's early literacy and deepens their knowledge even further. n Staff offer some experiences to develop children's understanding of cultural identities. For instance, they have learned about events such as the King's

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need to do better?

coronation. However, the curriculum is not broad enough to offer children a wide and varied insight into people outside their community. Therefore, children are not fully prepared for modern Britain. n Staff are successful at incorporating simple mathematical concepts, such as counting and addition, into everyday activities. For example, children make repeating patterns as they prepare their fruit kebabs. They confidently count

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need to do better?

9 May 2023 how many pieces of fruit they have. Furthermore, older children start to recognise numbers and use simple addition and subtraction. n Staff support children to develop their independence. For instance, children take themselves to wash their hands before mealtimes. Staff teach children to put on their boots and coats. This develops children's health and confidence in their own abilities. n Children's behaviour is good. Staff respect children's choices. This is demonstrated as staff ask children what activities they would like to participate in. Furthermore, they teach children about different emotions. This helps children talk about how they feel. n The manager and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. Links with local agencies that support children with SEND are strong. Children receive high-quality care and education. They make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are very strong. They say that their children are very well prepared for school due to the staff and wealth of opportunities their children receive in the nursery. Parents also comment on how their children's behaviour is good, as staff are positive role models. n The manager is passionate about the ethos and provision she offers the children. She seeks training opportunities for staff to further develop their knowledge. Regular supervisions with staff are carried out, with targets set to support them in their roles. Staff report they feel valued as a member of the team.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff complete regular safeguarding training. Staff know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's well-being. They have a good understanding of how to keep children safe and recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff make sure that the premises are safe and secure, using regular risk assessments and following detailed policies and procedures. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe when using tools. The manager implements robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children and have a clear understanding of their role.

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should:

n incorporate culture diversity into the curriculum to further broaden children's understanding of people and their communities n provide support to staff to raise the quality of teaching, in particular during group sessions, to a consistently higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2628352 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10281124 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person Treehoppers FK Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07792726017 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Treehoppers Forest Kindergarten registered in March 2021. It operates from Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The nursery opens from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm, 48 weeks of the year. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including two with early years teacher status. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery follows a forest school approach.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 took the inspector on a learning walk around the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching outdoors and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager carried out an evaluation of teaching with the inspector, following a planned activity. n The inspector spoke to the manager, staff, parents and children at appropriate points in the inspection and considered their views. She looked at relevant documentation, including first-aid certificates, and checked evidence of the suitability of those working with children.

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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

9 May 2023 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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