Lodge Farm Nursery School

Inspection of Lodge Farm Nursery School Lodge Farm Nursery, Malmesbury Road, Kington Langley, Chippenham SN15 5PY

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Inspection date: 18 September 2025 - 30 September 2025

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Management failed to implement safeguarding procedures in line with the local safeguarding partnership policies when an allegation was made against a member of staff. This led to delays in reporting and in acting on required directions from relevant authorities. As a result, children's safety and welfare are not assured, which weakens their personal development and sense of security.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are happy in this nursery. They confidently say goodbye to their parents and find their friends. Babies new to the nursery quickly settle and enjoy reassuring cuddles with staff. Children explain that they like attending the nursery and the fun activities they do. Older children are socially confident. Staff focus on creating strong bonds with children and respond warmly to their needs.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff know early years education well. They understand the nursery curriculum, which follows the children's current interests. All children enjoy lots of time outdoors, playing in the fresh air. Staff help children to explore and understand nature and develop their physical skills. Older children learn to care for animals by feeding and looking after the three nursery alpacas: Casper, Puck and Apollo. Children of all ages enjoy a day a week in the nursery forest school area. Staff support children to explore insects and their habitats during a bug hunt. Older children build hand strength and coordination by using bubble tweezers. They use them to collect insects and safely place them in observation pots. Staff help children understand why it is important to release the insects quickly so the insects stay alive.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are engaged and curious. Babies develop concentration and hand dexterity as they transfer water between containers. They remain engrossed in one activity for a long time, showing a positive attitude towards their learning. Toddlers grow their creative skills as staff help them make marks with paint and brushes. Children's behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n Leaders did not implement local safeguarding partnership procedures when an allegation arose. Reporting and follow-up actions were delayed, which does not assure children's safety and undermines their personal development. n Older children ask lots of questions and enjoy learning. They behave well, listen to staff and follow instructions. For example, when forest school staff say it is time to go indoors, children promptly line up and walk back to the main building. During mealtimes, older children help one another, showing friends how to twist spaghetti on their forks. n Staff help children develop their physical skills and confidence. Babies practise

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need to do better?

18 September 2025 walking and crawling with gentle support. Toddlers build coordination as they climb ladders and ride bicycles. Older children enjoy exploring an obstacle course known as 'The Crocodile Bridge', which strengthens their balance and spatial awareness. n Staff build children's early mathematics with practical routines. Older children enjoy taking part in a counting song. They count from one to five and back down from five. This helps them build subtraction skills. Toddlers develop matching skills as they put coloured toys into matching coloured pots. n Staff gather information from parents before children start at the nursery so they understand individual needs and interests. They share information with colleagues as children move between rooms, helping to support smooth transitions and continuity of care. n Staff feel valued in their roles. Leaders encourage them to gain higher qualifications in early years education. Some staff have recently completed forest

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need to do better?

school training. This has helped staff extend children's curiosity and confidence in exploring nature and outdoor learning. n Parent feedback is positive. Parents say communication is good. They feel informed about their children's activities and progress. Parents appreciate the helpful support they receive from staff with childcare issues, such as toilet training. Parents state that transitions to school are positive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

implement safeguarding policies and procedures in line with local safeguarding partnerships, particularly when an allegation is made, and ensure any actions from the relevant professionals are put in place in a timely manner, to keep children safe. 10/10/2025

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should:

18 September 2025 n develop staff skills in using the curriculum to teach older children about behaviour, so they learn how their actions affect others n enhance ways to support children when they transition into the pre-school, to best meet children's individual needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2840860 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10396583 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 98 Number of children on roll 132 Name of registered person Lodge Farm Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01249750075 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Lodge Farm Nursery School re-registered in 2025 and is located in Kington Langley, Chippenham, Wiltshire. The nursery is open weekdays from 7.30am until 6pm, throughout the year. The provider employs 36 staff. One member of staff holds a level 6 qualification, two staff have level 5 qualifications, one member of staff holds a level 4 qualification, 18 hold a level 3 qualification, nine hold a level 2 qualification and five are unqualified. The nursery offers government-funded childcare.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Victoria Jones Charlotte Jenkin

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Inspection activities

n The inspection started on 18 September 2025. An inspector returned on 30 September 2025 to gather additional evidence in line with 'Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy'. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and inspectors completed a learning walk of the nursery. n Children spoke with the inspectors during the inspection. n The manager and inspectors carried out a joint observation of an activity, and they evaluated this together. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspectors. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

18 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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