Giant Steps At River Bourne Farm

Inspection of Giant Steps At River Bourne Farm River Bourne Community Farm, Cow Lane, Salisbury SP1 2SR

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children love learning at this farm-based nursery. They experience regular, first- hand experiences from the provider's intended curriculum. Children visit a recently born Alpaca and excitedly learn how its mother cares for her baby by providing milk. Children have a positive attitude to learning and gain skills to support their future development. Young children persevere as they put on wet-weather coats and wellies and stride into the farm in small groups. They are excited and spontaneously sing, 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' with enthusiasm.

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The provision is good

Children are happy. They feel safe and secure. Older children learn to regulate their emotions through reading books such as 'The Colour Monster'. They learn to recognise and name the feelings that they sometimes experience inside. Children openly share their worries with staff, knowing they will take their concerns seriously. Staff know children well, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They put in place support that helps children with SEND catch up with their peers. Leaders and staff make sure that all children feel included through good relationships with both children and their parents.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have developed a curriculum with clear, ambitious goals to give children the knowledge they need to succeed. They identify specific learning expectations, which they display across the setting. Children benefit from a curriculum that helps develop pre-reading skills. They experience fun, short teaching sessions where they learn to hear the individual sounds in words with their favourite puppet, 'Facility the Fairy.' However, in some areas of learning, the provider does not always ensure that the curriculum is fully embedded. While older children learn to count through mathematically themed songs, they do not always learn the skills the provider has detailed in their curriculum, such as counting objects accurately. n Staff are attentive to children's needs. They talk with children about what they are doing and engage them in regular conversation. Some staff use these interactions to extend children's vocabulary. They vary their voices and

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need to do better?

encourage children to have fun, exploring words with loud and quiet, whispering voices. However, occasionally, this is not always consistent so not all children benefit from using new vocabulary and extending their sentences when they speak. n Leaders have ensured that children form secure attachments with staff. Staff know children's emotional needs well. Babies receive sensitive and responsive care from staff. They settle quickly and are confident to explore learning activities prepared for them. Staff look after young children's needs when they play in the rain, making sure their hoods are up and that they are warm.

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need to do better?

9 July 2024 Children learn to act on their own initiative and wash their hands as they prepare for lunch with increasing independence. n Leaders and staff have built good partnerships with parents. They proactively identify children's needs and communicate these to parents, particularly children with SEND. Staff take the time to listen to families, allowing them to share their concerns and take these into account. They closely monitor children's development with accurate assessments. Staff take quick action and arrange targeted support to ensure children close gaps in learning. Leaders equip parents with ideas and strategies to support their children at home. Children benefit from the provider's investment in supporting parents' confidence to nurture their independence and foster a love for learning. n Children behave well and build positive friendships with their peers. They are comfortable in the company of those who are responsible for them. Children

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need to do better?

listen to staff's instructions and know they have their best interests at heart. They use successful strategies that help remind them to take turns. Children use sand timers as a visual tool to negotiate fair turn-taking when sharing bikes in the outdoor area. When they go on trips around the farm, staff provide children with clear boundaries and expectations, which they follow. This helps to keep children safe.

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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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should:

n support staff to embed the curriculum intent in all areas of the learning so that children's learning has greater focus that supports them to make even more progress n improve the consistency of the quality staff interactions with children to ensure all children use new vocabulary in their speech.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536332 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10351162 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Giant Steps (Yexley) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01725 511138 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Giant Steps At River Bourne Farm registered in 2016. It operates from four rooms across two portable cabins set in the grounds of a community farm in Salisbury. The provision opens Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks a year, from 8am to 6pm. It provides early education funding for children aged two, three and four years. A total of 13 staff work directly with the children, including the managers. Of these, eight hold qualifications from level 2 to level 3, three are unqualified and one of the managers holds a degree in early years.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked with staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinators spoke with the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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 July 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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