Nature Garden Pre-School

Inspection of Nature Garden Pre- School Belvedere Barn, Bristol Road, Whitminster, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL2 7LU

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Inspection date: 7 February 2023 - 16 February 2023

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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 thrive in the outdoor environment, where they engage in a wide range of well-planned activities. The owner/manager and staff successfully implement a curriculum that makes the most of the natural environment. Children are motivated to learn and make good progress in all areas of learning.

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The provision is good

Staff relate well to the children in their care. They know each child's needs, abilities and interests and provide good support to encourage them to gain independence and help to prepare them for the move on to school.

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The provision is good

Children are familiar with the routines. They arrive happily, store their lunch boxes and head for the log circle, where they sing the welcome song, delighted when they hear their name. Staff introduce the schedule for the day and the activities set out around the garden area.

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The provision is good

Dressed in their all-weather clothing, children move between activities of their choosing. For example, they link up with others to construct bamboo chutes to roll different-sized balls down at speed, straddling the chute to create a bridge, giggling and having fun as they challenge one another. They learn about seasonal changes, monitor the growth of spring plants, look out for birds and go in search of minibeasts. They paint the reflection of a vase of daffodils on a mirror. Encouraged by staff, they look closely at the flower features and select or mix colours to use.

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The provision is good

Staff help children to learn to stay safe. Children recall the rhyme 'No picky, no licky' and know that touching things outdoors can cause 'sick tummies'. They follow instructions well and know the importance of washing their hands before meals. Children are well behaved and receive praise and encouragement from staff, fostering self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Staff encourage children to develop a love of books. Children listen intently to the story of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. They readily talk about aspects of the story and the size of each bear, their bowls, spoons and beds. Staff provide props to enable children to re-enact the story. Children spend time in the tepee tent, looking at books on their own, and they relax on cushions to share books with their friends and staff. Children look forward to 'Granny Pixie's' storytelling. n Staff share books with the children that help them to learn about, and to value, diversity. They pretend to sail to different places around the world in the wooden boat and are taught about cultural differences. n Staff instinctively foster children's language development, mathematical awareness and understanding of the world, making the most of opportunities

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 that arise during the course of children's play and planned activities. For example, they introduce mathematical language as children compare sizes and shapes of containers they select to make shakers, and they explore natural objects they find to fit inside. Children learn about capacity as they fill different- sized pots with sand. n The owner has a good overview of the effectiveness of the planned curriculum and seeks support from outside professionals to gain further ideas to improve the provision. She is developing a visual tool to assist staff in tracking children's progress more effectively. She also plans to explore ways to enhance children's understanding of the world, using the tablet computer she has recently purchased, for instance. n Partnership with parents is good. Parents spoken to praise the staff and provision highly. They report that their children are very happy and that the

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need to do better?

outdoor learning environment suits them. They state that children are making good progress and report that staff have helped their children to develop their listening skills and positive behaviour. They value how well staff share information about children's progress and ideas for things they can do with children at home. However, on occasion, parents do not receive sufficient information about their children's well-being during the session. Staff provide creative workshops and celebrations for parents, which are well attended and enjoyed. n Through conversation with parents, staff receive some information about children's learning and experiences at other settings. However, staff are not proactive in developing positive partnerships with all settings children attend. n Staff relate well to the children and ensure children receive extra support to enable them to make good progress. They work in partnership with the parents

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need to do better?

of children who may need greater support in their personal, social and emotional development, and to improve their language skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children's welfare. They regularly complete child protection training and know the appropriate action to take in the event of any safeguarding concerns. They are vigilant in their supervision of the children, enabling them to take risks while learning to keep themselves safe. The provider maintains high adult-to-child ratios and ensures all staff, volunteers, and maintenance staff are suitably vetted. Staff implement effective security and safety measures to keep children safe, and they model good hygiene practice.

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should:

7 February 2023 n provide more detailed information about how children have been while at the pre-school, to build on the good partnership with parents n take a more proactive approach in developing strong partnerships with other settings children attend, to ensure that the provision complements the experiences children have elsewhere.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2585145 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10264505 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 14 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Monkman, Alice

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reference number

Telephone number 07903 764248 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Nature Garden Pre-school registered in December 2020. The pre-school is based in the village of Whitminster, near Gloucester. The pre-school offers care Tuesday to Thursday, from 9.30am to 2.30pm, term time only. The setting is owned and run by a qualified teacher. She is supported by three other members of staff, two of whom hold recognised level 2 and 3 qualifications. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of early education for three- and four-year olds.

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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 owner/manager joined the inspector on a learning walk of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. They observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the owner/manager about the leadership and management of the setting. They also completed a joint observation of a planned group activity. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

7 February 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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