Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm

Inspection of Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm Stable 1, White House Farm, Salhouse Road, Rackheath, Norwich NR13 6LB

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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 and thrive in this highly nurturing nursery. They quickly become absorbed in rich and engaging activities that ignite their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Staff are exemplary role models for children and consistently demonstrate positive behaviours and skills. They skilfully teach children to identify their emotions, such as through the use of familiar stories and group activities. For example, children make faces with play dough and discuss their emotions. Staff encourage them to look at the similarities and differences between themselves and their peers. Staff quickly recognise and praise children's efforts and achievements. This boosts children's self-esteem and develops their confidence.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff empower children to understand that their thoughts and ideas are important. Every morning, children vote for two helpers of the day. This supports them to develop a sense of democracy and know their voice has meaning. Staff expertly support children's communication and language skills. They engage children in rich and purposeful conversations. Staff use open-ended questions to deepen children's understanding and spark meaningful conversations. They weave books, stories and songs seamlessly into daily routines. This enriches children's learning across all areas of the curriculum. Staff carefully select high-quality and meaningful texts that enhance the learning environment and reflect children's interests and developmental needs. They deliver stories with energy and enthusiasm. This captures children's attention and fosters a love of literacy from an early age.

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need to do better?

n The nursery has an ambitious curriculum that gives children the broad range of knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in life. Staff adapt learning experiences to support children's individual needs and next steps in learning. They deliver thoughtfully planned activities based on children's interests and their recent observations and assessments. Staff know their key children incredibly well. They ensure that all activities have a purpose and goal. All children make excellent progress in their learning and development. They are prepared for the next stage of their education for when they go to school. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive superb support from highly skilled staff and special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinators. They expertly use their knowledge of each child to provide personalised targets and strategies to ensure they get the support they need at

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need to do better?

the earliest opportunity. Staff work closely with other professionals and parents and carers remarkably well. This collaborative approach creates an inclusive environment and ensures that all children have the same learning experiences. n Staff are exceptionally skilful in building on children's learning. For instance, they embed mathematical concepts superbly into the curriculum for children from a

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need to do better?

28 August 2025 young age. Staff encourage younger children to count the fruit in their bowls at snack time and to recognise how many they have when one is taken away. Older children gain a greater depth of understanding of quantity and measurements, such as when staff support them as they explore in the water tray. n Staff develop excellent relationships with parents, who speak highly of the support they provide for their children. Parents feel valued and involved in every aspect of their children's learning. They attend regular meetings with key persons to discuss their children's development and take part in events and stay- and-play sessions. Parents comment that the nursery is a 'home away from home', where children are at the heart of everything staff do. n Staff seize every opportunity to promote children's understanding of leading a healthy lifestyle. Children go on regular walks to the local farm, where they

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need to do better?

explore in the orchards and learn where their food comes from. They harvest the food grown in their nursery's vegetable garden and use this in their meals and snacks. Staff teach children about the importance of good oral health. Children eagerly brush their teeth in the nursery everyday and discuss why this is important. n The leadership and management team is inspirational, with a clear and ambitious vision for continuously enhancing the quality of provision for children, families and staff. Leaders place a strong emphasis on staff's well-being. They are dedicated to nurturing and further developing their skilled and experienced team. Leaders offer a broad range of high-quality professional development opportunities to ensure that staff continuously build on their knowledge and skills. They monitor staff's practice excellently through discussions and regular supervision sessions. This results in an enthusiastic, professional and reflective

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need to do better?

team of staff, who work exceptionally well together and enjoy their roles.

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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 EY548884 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10399391 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 49 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Once Upon A Time Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01603 415821 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm registered in 2017 and is located in Rackheath, Norwich. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two staff who hold qualifications at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and for one week over the Christmas period. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides the government-funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The manager completed a learning walk of the nursery and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n Leaders 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

28 August 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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