Seasons

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive excited and ready to explore nature in this engaging nursery. Staff know children well and form strong relationships with them from the start. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Staff support children to have a deep connection with the world around them. For example, the curriculum provides excellent experiences for children to spend lots of time outside. Staff plan many wonderful opportunities for children to visit the on-site farm and woodland. Children regularly feed the farm animals and learn new skills. Staff teach children to love and respect the forest. For instance, children check for any hazards that may endanger animals when forest school sessions are over.

Children's imagination is ignited during their time in the forest. For example, children excitedly run around with their friends, trying to find the 'Gruffalo'. Staff capture their interests by enthusiastically joining in. They successfully motivate children to find other characters from the book. Children behave well. Staff are wonderful role models. They teach children about sharing and taking turns. As a result, children are considerate and kind. For example, children patiently wait their turn to discuss what they have done during the day.

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

• The curriculum is ambitious and well planned. There is a strong focus on enhancing children's understanding of the world. Staff plan a rich set of experiences to support this. They build on what children already know through their observations and assessments. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual needs, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This supports all children to make the progress of which they are capable.
• Staff provide exciting challenges to support children's determination and resilience. For example, children concentrate as they use real tools, such as hammers and saws, under close supervision. Children thoroughly enjoy making a variety of creations and become deeply engaged. Staff encourage children to showcase their achievements and praise them for their efforts. For example, children beam in delight when they hold up their 'unicorn' and 'tyrannosaurs rex' that they have made from wood. This helps children to develop perseverance and raises their self-esteem.
• Staff support children's physical development very well. Children have a wealth of opportunities to be physically active. They develop their large muscles as they skilfully balance on beams and run up mounds of earth. Staff provide activities for children to develop their small muscles in their hands. For example, they use charcoal from the campfire to draw pictures and hammer nails into wood. This helps to develop the coordination and muscle control they need for early writing.
• Children have good routines that develop their independence skills. Staff support and encourage children to learn these skills through everyday activities. For instance, they learn to get themselves dressed and undressed in all-weather clothes. Children set up tables ready for snack time and prepare their own food. They clear away when they have finished eating. This helps to prepare children with the skills they need for their next stage in learning.
• Safety is of high importance at this nursery. Staff are highly vigilant and ensure that children are always supervised effectively. Children know the safety rules and speak about these with clarity. For example, they know why they cannot enter the firepit circle. Additionally, children learn how to cut their grapes safely in half at snack time, while supervised by staff. This helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe.
• The provider and the manager are aware of the strengths of the setting and the areas for development. They create swift action plans to make continual improvements to policy and procedures. Managers encourage staff to explore subjects of interest, such as forest school training and creative arts. Staff report that they are well supported through regular training and supervisions. However, some staff need further support to address minor inconsistencies in newer policies, such as recent changes to sleep routines.
• The provider did not follow the required process to notify Ofsted of a significant event. However, she did follow all other correct procedures regarding this event. There is no impact on children's safety. Therefore, Ofsted does not intend to take any action on this occasion.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen support for staff, to address minor inconsistencies in policy and practice.