Barleylands Farm Day Nursery and Pre-School

Inspection of Barleylands Farm Day Nursery and Pre-School Barleylands Farm Park & The Village, Billericay, Essex CM11 2UD

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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 warmly welcomed into the new, exciting, well-designed, purpose-built nursery. Great care has been taken to ensure the environment is fully inclusive and calming, and it sparks children's interest to explore the activities on offer. Quality resources are readily available for children to self-select and initiate their own learning. The curriculum is planned to support the skills needed to be independent learners, and it prepares children for the transition to school. There is a strong focus on children's personal and social development. A favourite book is also selected each week, and this influences and underpins how some activities are planned. Priority is given to ensure children settle so that they are happy and ready to learn. They have established close and trusting bonds with their key person. The curriculum also passionately supports learning outdoors. The nursery is located on a farm and offers children many opportunities to visit the animals and understand

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The provision is good

The new team members invest time in getting to know the children and their families before they attend. They are skilful in their interactions with them. Staff are kind and attentive. They are reassuring and offer children who are new to the nursery lots of praise and cuddles. They speak respectfully to the children and encourage kindness and manners. They are good role models and have high expectations for the children. Therefore, children's behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good. The flexible curriculum is planned around children's interests and builds on what they already know through careful assessments of their progress. The curriculum is enhanced further through opportunities to investigate and explore the local community. For example, organised daily trips to the host farm provide children with excellent first-hand opportunities to learn about nature, animals and how to care for them. n Children positively relish their trips to the farm. They eagerly dress in preparation for the short walk. They listen intently to instructions to ensure they keep safe, and they happily hold hands. They excitedly tell visitors to the setting that the pigs have had babies during the night, and they are going to visit them. Learning is continued on return, as activities such as making a 'pig collage' are readily available. n While children are offered a broad curriculum, where there is a strong focus on

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need to do better?

supporting children's personal and emotional development and promoting the skills needed to be independent learners, it is not consistently challenging. Therefore, sometimes, staff do not best support the most able children to build on what they already know and extend their knowledge to an even higher level. n Happy, welcoming staff greet parents and children as they arrive. They share

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need to do better?

27 February 2025 relevant information daily and have established friendly but professional working relationships with parents. Staff positively encourage input from parents into the children's learning and encourage them to share what they know about their child. n Parents spoke of their 'heartfelt gratitude' to the amazing staff and say their children 'thrive in the nurturing environment'. They comment on the fantastic communication and how well their children have settled. n Babies are cared for by caring and attentive staff. Staff follow each child's individual routines. Babies are made comfortable when they are tired, and they are offered their comforters and cuddles as they are soothed to sleep. Staff are gentle in their approach and support babies well during mealtimes. n Children have access to high-quality resources that are easily accessible. They show an eagerness to explore and initiate their own imaginary games. For

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need to do better?

example, role play is popular, and children show sustained concentration and curiosity as they smell, chop and mix real vegetables as they prepare dinner for their friends. n Children are confident speakers. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations and provide running commentaries during activities. They listen carefully during groups sessions and enjoy spontaneous singing throughout the day. Staff have a comprehension of how children develop their conversation skills. However, on occasion, some staff do not give children time to respond to questions, extend their conversation skills, think critically and solve problems for themselves. n While the nursery has only been opened for a short while, the staff work well together. They speak positively of the support in place, such as meetings, supervision and training opportunities. The management team has a culture of evaluation, is reflective in all that happens at nursery, and positively encourages

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need to do better?

and promotes staff's continuous professional development.

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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 plan more opportunities within the curriculum to challenge children's thinking to consistently build on what they already know and can do n use effective questioning techniques to challenge and extend children's language, help them to think critically and solve problems independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2812911 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10383733 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 86 Number of children on roll 92 Name of registered person Farm Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01268 988 669 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Barleylands Farm Day Nursery and Pre-School registered in 2024 and is situated in Billericay, Essex. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged between nine months and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team wants the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Parents provided the inspector with oral and written feedback during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with the staff team during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the 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

27 February 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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