Willow Woods Forest School

Inspection of Willow Woods Forest School Chapel Farm, Downham Road, Salters Lode, Downham Market PE38 0BA

p.1

Inspection date: 29 April 2025 - 3 July 2025

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Staff quickly build secure relationships with the children. They spend time with parents and their child before they start at the setting to find out about them and as a result get to know each individual child well. Relationships between children and staff are warm and nurturing. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Opportunities for physical play are immense across the spacious site. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make independent choices and decide what they want to do and where they wish to play in this exciting outdoor environment. The well-qualified, experienced provider and their staff team observe, and listen to, children to ensure that they remain safe. Staff sensitively notice when children need extra support, and their skilful interventions help all children to remain engaged in their chosen play. Children respond positively to staff's interactions.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and demonstrate a strong sense of respect for their peers and the environment. Staff are good role models. They remind children of expectations, such as sitting down while eating, and support children to take turns, share and to learn how to resolve conflicts calmly. Children confidently seek out staff when they need further support, for example, asking if they can have 'spare boots' to give to another child.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider and staff team work together to provide a broad, balanced and well-planned curriculum that promotes children's individual development. They place a strong emphasis on supporting children's well-being and self-esteem, communication and physical skills. Staff understand what they need to do to support each child's ongoing progress. n Children show high levels of concentration and enjoyment while at the setting. They have many opportunities to take safe risks, such as using the balance beams on the trees, under supervision, which build their confidence and coordination. Children are eager to help the staff to take care of the new pet rabbits, goats and chickens. n Parents share how the outdoor environment has had a significantly positive impact on their child's lives, some commenting that it has enabled their child to grow in confidence and 'get out of their comfort zone'. Parents are deeply

p.2

need to do better?

appreciative of the inclusivity at the setting and say how their children have become extremely accepting of others due to being able to mix with a diverse group of children. n Staff support children's communication and language skills well. They continually

p.2

need to do better?

29 April 2025 talk with children about the noises they can hear in their environment and introduce new words while children play and explore. For example, during water play, staff comment about how the bubbles are 'increasing in size and duplicating'. However, sometimes, especially during group activities, staff do not adapt their approach to teaching enough to ensure that those quieter, less confident children benefit from the same rich learning opportunities as others. n The provider makes observations of staff's teaching and provides regular feedback and coaching. Staff say they feel well supported to develop their skills and are confident to share their own ideas, which are acted on by the provider. They are really happy in their roles and state their well-being is well considered. n Staff spontaneously share books with the children throughout the day. For example, they read stories while children eat items from their lunch boxes.

p.2

need to do better?

Children also look at books independently and confidently turn the pages. They are keen to talk to adults about what they see in the pictures. Staff ensure that children have many opportunities to hear and join in with familiar action songs and rhymes. For instance, they sing songs as children jump on the trampoline. n The provider regularly reflects on the setting and makes adaptations to ensure it continually meets all the children's needs. As a result, the learning environment is constantly evolving. For example, staff now use an indoor cabin space when supporting children to have their nappy changed, ensuring that children have appropriate privacy.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n ensure that all children benefit from continuously rich learning opportunities, particularly those who are quieter and/or less confident, especially during group activities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2754511 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10391106 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person WILLOW WOODS-CHAPEL FARM CIC

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07720101836 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Willow Woods Forest School registered in 2023 and is located in a village close to the town of Downham Market, Norfolk. The setting operates in an outdoor learning environment. It provides care and early years education for children from the ages of two to five years and outdoor learning experiences for school-age children. The setting employs three members of childcare staff. The pre-school operates during term time on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with the exception of bank holidays. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The setting provides government-funded places for all eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspection started on 29 April 2025. Inspectors returned on 3 July 2025 to gather additional evidence in line with the Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy. n The provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that they want the children to learn. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector during discussions, and the inspector took account of these views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The provider and the inspector jointly observed and evaluated a spontaneous activity.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

29 April 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6