Nature Trail Nursery

Inspection of Nature Trail Nursery Solutions House, School Lane, Brinscall, Chorley, Lancashire PR6 8QP

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this outstanding nursery. Staff are passionate and motivated to deliver a well-thought-out and purposeful curriculum. They expertly use information from parents, in addition to their own observations, to precisely plan the experiences they offer to children. This high-quality curriculum incorporates children's individual interests and identified learning goals. The impact of this is demonstrated when children become deeply engaged in purposeful play and thoughtful conversations. Staff are highly skilled communicators who create a safe, interesting and language-rich environment. All children make excellent and rapid progress.

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The provision is outstanding

Care routines are sensitive. Staff ask children to take part and explain why these routines are important. This respectful behaviour modelled by staff is mirrored in children's interactions. Staff encourage children to contribute their own ideas. For example, children show extremely high levels of engagement as they measure flour using scales, checking the numbers and adding more. The whole curriculum centres around children's curiosity and encouraging them to make their own choices about how they use resources. Staff praise children frequently. This celebration of success helps children build a positive attitude to hard work and confidence to 'have a go'.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have developed a well-sequenced curriculum. There is clear intent for learning that is fully understood and promoted by all members of staff. Leaders support staff to engage in reflective practice to help them make continuous improvements. The staff share the nursery vision and are committed to the work they do to help children have the best start in life. Consequently, children benefit from a highly skilled and dedicated staff team. n Staff provide excellent opportunities for children to discover a love of reading. For example, pre-school children excitedly settle down to listen to the story 'The Gingerbread Man'. Children delight as they loudly join in to finish the rhyme. Staff skilfully use the story as a base to extend children's understanding of different topics. They discuss how the horse is 'cantering' and 'galloping'. Staff expertly teach children about the role of authors and illustrators. They also help

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need to do better?

children learn about story formats and develop their memory skills. Children develop excellent early literacy skills. n Staff support children to become highly independent and motivated. Children show sustained levels of concentration. For example, children learn about the importance of following a recipe and adding the correct quantities of ingredients when making biscuits. They use previous knowledge from making play dough through trial and error. They develop their understanding of what happens to the

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need to do better?

7 March 2024 mixture when the ingredients are not measured accurately. Staff challenge children's thinking and problem-solving skills. Children learn that adding more flour reduces the water and helps the dough to develop 'elasticity' and 'stretch'. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff members consistently model respectful behaviour and boundaries. They praise and encourage children which supports their strong self-esteem. Staff are nurturing and children display a high level of respect and support among each other. Children follow simple rules and regulate their own behaviour, with gentle reminders from staff. The environment is consistently calm and purposeful and benefits children's listening skills. n Staff support children's physical development very well. Children have an abundance of opportunities to develop their physical skills. They demonstrate excellent core muscle skills. For example, children dance and move their bodies

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need to do better?

to music, with great enthusiasm, during a dance session. Children learn about their community and the wider world around them as they take their weekly walk to the local park. Furthermore, staff arrange for weekend parent and children walks to local areas and take part in community days. Daily access to outdoor play and learning helps enhance children's overall well-being. n Parents speak very highly of the nursery and staff. They say that they feel extremely involved in what is happening and that staff truly know their child and their individual needs. The effective and ongoing communication with parents enhances the consistency of children's learning. This helps children make excellent progress in all areas of learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY427512 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10317144 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Nature Trail Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01254830788 Date of previous inspection 11 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Nature Trail Nursery registered in 2011 and is located in Brinscall, Lancashire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector viewed the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager and senior leaders about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

7 March 2024 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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