Mini Farmers At Mead Open Farm

Inspection of Mead Open Farm Day Nursery and Activity Day Camp Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Road, Great Billington, Leighton Buzzard LU7 9JH

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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 happy and settled and enjoy attending this lively, supportive nursery. The implementation of a practical key-person system and sensitive settling-in procedures help children to settle quickly and build strong bonds with staff. Staff have high expectations of children and act as good role models, demonstrating a positive, enthusiastic attitude. Children reflect this and are confident in their play. For example, young children use their good language skills as they exclaim 'look, like rain' when they sprinkle coloured lentils. They eagerly note how the lentils fall faster than coloured paper discs. Children persist when faced with challenges. For instance, older children work out how to make a train track slope and persevere as they try to make the track turn a corner.

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The provision is good

Staff are sensitive and show respect for each child. For example, they ask children's permission before wiping children's noses or going outside. Children reflect this sensitive, caring approach and are kind and considerate towards one another. Ongoing explanations and well-implemented daily procedures support children in developing a good knowledge of safety. For instance, when visiting the farm, children show a mature approach as they listen carefully to staff and know that they need to stay with their group.

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need to do better?

n Staff report that they enjoy working at the nursery and feel valued and supported. This is highlighted in their good teamworking. Staff receive regular supervision, helping to develop their practice and supporting their well-being. They continuously evaluate their work and are involved in implementing changes. n All staff understand the nursery's curriculum and the intention of activities. They assess children well and know what they need to learn next. They offer children a wide variety of activities that reflect their interests and support them in making good progress. Secure monitoring of children's development supports staff in addressing any weaker areas and in using additional funding effectively to further promote children's progress. n With sensitive support from staff, children of all ages show a genuine enjoyment of books. They have firm favourites and the frequent reading of these reinforces

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need to do better?

children's enjoyment and supports them in learning new vocabulary. For example, young children are excited as they find the bear's cave, competently describing this as 'under' the bridge. n Children participate in well-planned daily routines. For instance, they enjoy grooming ponies and help weigh small bags of animal feed for the farm. Opportunities such as these support children in understanding the needs of other people and animals on the farm and initiate their interest in the wider

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need to do better?

13 January 2025 world. n Staff efficiently exchange information within the nursery and work well with external professionals. This ensures that children's needs are known and all can work together to promote their development. This particularly supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and they make good progress. n Staff promote children's language and communication skills well. For instance, babies smile and babble as they stretch out their arms to be carried. Staff sing and chatter to babies as they change their nappies. Mealtimes are social occasions, where staff and children eagerly discuss recent events. n Staff interact well with children and usually present larger group activities in an appealing manner, helping to interest and engage children. However, this is not consistent and children do not always gain the maximum benefit from some activities. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They praise staff, stating how supportive

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need to do better?

they are and noting how their children progress and 'go from strength to strength'. Staff communicate well with parents so that they know what their children have been doing. However, staff do not offer as much support as possible to aid parents in building on children's learning at home. n Children enjoy many opportunities that support their development and aid them in understanding healthy lifestyles. For example, they note their raised heart rates after exercise. They develop their smaller hand muscles as they carefully select craft resources and use tools, such as scissors and scoops.

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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 be consistent in the presentation of group activities so that, for example, children can engage in these with minimal distraction and gain the maximum benefit from these opportunities n enhance the support offered to parents in building on children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2706673 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10379018 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 114 Number of children on roll 159 Name of registered person Mead Open Farm Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01525 307267 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Mead Open Farm Day Nursery and Activity Day Camp re-registered in 2022 and is one of several nurseries managed by this company. The nursery employs 40 members of childcare staff. Of these, 23 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed staff interactions with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n Meetings were held between the inspector and the manager, the deputy manager, two senior managers, the nominated person and director of people and well-being. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents.

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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

13 January 2025 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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