Woodhams Farm Day Nursery

Inspection of Woodhams Farm Day Nursery Woodhams Farm, Kings Worthy, WINCHESTER, Hampshire SO23 7LB

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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 are welcomed into the setting by staff who are passionate, supportive and highly knowledgeable. Staff initiate extremely effective partnerships with parents to support children to settle into the routine and, within days, children are making friends and enjoying the high-quality experiences available.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent across all areas of the setting. Staff use highly effective strategies to engage children and empower them to work together with their friends. For example, staff in the pre-school expertly model language to support children to manage their conduct and share the play dough tools with their friends. This empowers children to solve problems independently and builds their confidence.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff teach children how to manage their emotions exceptionally well. Children listen carefully to staff, who are calm and reassuring. For example, staff in the toddler room support younger children to acknowledge how they are feeling and provide reassurance that all feelings are acceptable in an age-appropriate way. As a result, children are beginning to explore their emotions from an early age and feel fully supported in doing so.

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The provision is outstanding

Children enjoy taking part in yoga sessions and listen carefully to staff when they demonstrate how to move into a different position. Children are taught to notice what their chest feels like when they breathe deeply and are encouraged to close their eyes and relax. This provides excellent opportunities for children to learn about their bodies and the effect of exercise on their breathing.

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need to do better?

n The carefully considered curriculum is highly ambitious for every child. The expertise and knowledge of staff means that experiences provided for children are extremely engaging. For example, staff and children walk in the local woods, talking about the things they notice and the minibeasts around them. When they return, children thoroughly enjoy painting using twigs they have collected with the red paint to remind them of the ladybirds they spotted. This means that children's learning is incredibly meaningful and helps them to make sense of the world around them. n The support provided for those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exceptional. Support is expertly tailored to the needs of each child and the progress made from their starting points is impressive. For example, effective resources are developed and shared with parents to support children to effectively communicate their needs using photos and symbols. This

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need to do better?

provides a highly consistent approach to support children both at home and at

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need to do better?

12 September 2025 the setting. n Opportunities for children to develop their communication and language skills are plentiful. Staff regularly use a range of engaging activities to encourage children to get involved in learning new vocabulary. For example, children dance to music using scarves while counting in Spanish. This highly motivates children to get involved in their learning using unique and exciting experiences. n Babies build excellent bonds with staff, who are extremely caring and patient. Attentive staff use familiar songs to help babies feel safe and secure. Staff work in close partnership with parents to find out about children's likes and dislikes so that the care provided is personal and meets the needs of every child. n Children are provided with tremendous opportunities to develop their early mark- making skills through innovative initiatives. For example, children enjoy listening to music while making large movements with their hands and arms as they draw

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need to do better?

on paper positioned on the floor. This highly effective experience helps to develop children's large- and small-muscle skills in preparation for future writing. n Parents share how their children have made excellent and rapid progress in all areas of their learning since starting at the setting. They have noticed how their children have grown in confidence and resilience and are excited to explore new experiences. Parents feel fully supported through regular updates, involvement in support groups for parents of children with SEND and `Coffee and Cake' sessions. n Leaders have a clear vision for continuously evaluating and enhancing the setting. They place great emphasis on staff well-being to ensure the setting is an enjoyable and positive place to work. Trained mental health practitioners are in place to support staff. This makes staff feel highly valued and part of a close and happy team. n Leaders have been recognised by organisations beyond the setting for their

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need to do better?

excellent practice and continue to provide high-quality support for local students who are undertaking training in childcare.

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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 EY359298 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10407381 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 116 Number of children on roll 114 Name of registered person Woodhams Farm Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01962886029 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Woodhams Farm Day Nursery registered in 2007. It operates from a converted barn in the village of Kings Worthy, near Winchester. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year and employs 38 members of staff. Of these, 25 hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 2 and level 6. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager, deputy manager and special educational needs coordinator joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the setting. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

12 September 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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