The Farmyard Nursery Limited Company

Inspection of The Farmyard Nursery Limited Company Church Road, Ashburnham, Battle, East Sussex TN33 9NU

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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 inspiring nursery, where staff thoughtfully design an environment and activities that spark wonder and creativity. For example, babies delight in the sand and water kitchen, enthusiastically scooping and pouring as they craft imaginary cakes. Children work together to lift and move mud with diggers. Nearby, children excitedly chatter as they gather natural materials, carefully planning a home for a minibeast they have discovered. The setting buzzes with lively exploration and teamwork.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff deepen children's thinking and language skills through rich conversations and meaningful activities that build on their interests. For example, children learn about the ladybird lifecycle when they observe real ladybirds grow over time. Staff introduce ambitious words such as 'pupa', while children confidently say 'larvae' and 'cocoon', remembering their previous learning. Children eagerly approach new experiences with high levels of curiosity and focus. They ask thoughtful questions such as, 'Are they sleeping?' when looking at photos of hibernating ladybirds.

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The provision is outstanding

The nursery prepares children exceptionally well for their next stage in learning and school. Children show wonderful confidence, resilience and a love for learning that supports their future success.

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need to do better?

n Leaders create a curriculum that is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and English as an additional language (EAL). Staff use assessment strategies effectively, such as weekly observations, milestone checks and parent discussions, to guide children's next steps. Learning is sequenced effectively, supporting children to build a strong foundation before moving on to more complex ideas. Staff have a superb understanding of the areas of learning they teach and how children learn. This is reflected in the enriching experiences the setting provides and consistently high-quality interactions between staff and children. n Staff skilfully include literacy and numeracy learning into everyday activities. For example, they encourage children to practise their counting skills when investigating insects preserved in resin and encourage children to write sounds

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need to do better?

on boards when playing 'I spy' in the garden. Staff bring stories to life. For example, staff support children to act out the stories with props and join in with actions and words when reading the 'A Shark in the Park' story. These thoughtfully planned story times nurture a love for reading and support future literacy development. n Staff have high expectations for behaviour and are excellent role models. Children confidently show their understanding of why behaviour rules are in

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need to do better?

28 May 2025 place and recognise the impact that their behaviour has on others. For example, children know how to ask for things politely, wait when adults are talking with other children and show care and respect for each other when playing. n Staff know their key children incredibly well and, when needed, work with outside agencies such as speech and language and occupational therapists to provide tailored support for children's individual needs. For example, they use visual cards and Makaton signing, learn phrases in children's home languages and create structured routines. This supports all children to make excellent progress, including those with SEND and those who speak EAL. n There are exceptionally effective arrangements to foster children's sense of identity and provide experiences that reflect children's different backgrounds and cultures. For example, staff read books that relate to children's cultures, and

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need to do better?

children are supported to write their name in their home languages and share their religious and cultural traditions with the other children in the setting. This promotes appreciation, understanding and respect for diverse communities. n Excellent consideration is given to promoting a healthy lifestyle. For example, children enjoy nutritious meals, play an active role by helping to grow and pick fresh vegetables and vote for their favourite weekly dish. Children develop coordination and resilience. They embrace a variety of physical challenges, such as climbing and balancing on tyres and tunnels in the garden and exploring uneven terrain in the woodland. n Leaders are keen to improve on their own expertise. This culture of wanting to build on expertise is seen in all members of staff. Leaders support staff's well- being effectively. For example, they regularly check in with staff and support their needs. They monitor staff workloads closely to ensure that they have the

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need to do better?

time and opportunities to complete training of their choice that is relevant to the children's needs. This fosters a positive and supportive working environment and ensures continuous professional growth of the whole staff team. Staff feel fulfilled and committed to their roles, praising leaders for their approachable and supportive leadership.

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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 EY551031 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10398122 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 29 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person The Farmyard Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01424 893366 Date of previous inspection 3 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Farmyard Nursery opened in 2007 and re-registered in 2017. It operates from a converted barn in Ashburnham, East Sussex. It is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, 50 weeks a year. The nursery offers government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children. Fourteen staff work with the children, two of whom hold early years teaching status. Of the remaining staff, eight hold qualifications from levels 2 to 6.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke with staff about how they support children with SEND. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

28 May 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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