Little Latham Farmers

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This inspirational nursery places children at the heart of all it does. Staff have an exceptional understanding of each child, which underpins the thriving environment. Children are very excited about learning and display impeccable behaviour.

Children have many hands-on experiences that help them learn and grow. They excitedly participate in events that help them to develop a rich sense of the wider world. For example, they work together to develop their physical skills as they learn to build dens in the forest school area. Children calmly and sensitively help to bottle feed baby lambs in the onsite farm. Staff also take children on outings such as to the local residential care home where they participate in activities with the residents. These experiences also encourage kindness and consideration towards others.

Leaders have a clear and positive impact on the entire nursery community, including staff, children, families, and the wider local area. They show remarkable understanding of the varied needs of everyone involved, creating a welcoming and inclusive setting.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum. Staff apply it carefully and consistently throughout the nursery. This curriculum helps children of all ages become more independent. Children make excellent progress as they learn to do more for themselves. Staff use observation, assessment, and discussions to understand children's current knowledge, what they need to learn next, and how to support them.
• Strong relationships with key workers help children in this nursery feel safe. This caring approach also encourages the children to show kindness to one another. For example, young toddlers comfort their friends after they watch them wake from a cosy afternoon nap. Young children offer their friends a drink and to join them at the table. This demonstrates children's excellent social skills.
• Leaders create a supportive workplace by encouraging positive relationships and well-being. This allows staff to help children manage their feelings with kindness and calmness. Leaders prioritise staff development through regular supervision and training, such as first aid, safeguarding, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and speech and language. This approach ensures qualified staff are well equipped to effectively support all children.
• Developing children's communication and language skills is a noticeable strength of the nursery. To encourage a love of reading, children and parents can access the nursery library. Staff read stories and sing songs and rhymes with enthusiasm, engaging the children's interest. Babies learn to use key first words which help to build their early language skills.
• Children enjoy a wide range of healthy foods and have access to fresh fruit and drinking water throughout the day. Children are encouraged to practise good hygiene, for example, hand washing and activities that promote healthy teeth and gums.
• Children can practise physical skills and take safe risks in the forest school, around the fire pit, and on outdoor climbing equipment. Staff help children identify dangers and teach them how to stay safe.
• In this nurturing environment, the staff empower children to make their own decisions. For example, children can share their ideas through the school council. They can suggest which resources to buy. This gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• The nursery particularly excels at including children with SEND. The staff ensure they support the most vulnerable children to take part in all activities and opportunities. This inclusive approach gives all children fair chances to learn and grow together. The setting values diversity. It encourages children to share their cultures by taking part in themed celebrations and events.
• Leaders show a strong commitment to self-evaluation and improvement. They conduct frequent reviews of their practices to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. They use effective methods to check progress. For example, they have got plans to transition the greenhouse into a new baby room. This change meets the growing needs of the community.
• Partnership with parents is exceptional. Parents feel heard and appreciated. They also trust that their children are safe, secure, and happy in the environment. This strong partnership plays a crucial role in promoting children's well-being and development.