The Farmhouse Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy their time at nursery. Staff understand the importance of working closely with parents to help children feel confident in their new surroundings. Children benefit from thoughtful settling-in arrangements. They are given ample opportunities to become familiar with staff and the nursery. Children develop the confidence to enjoy their time away from home. They show that they feel safe and secure with the kind, nurturing staff.

Children behave well. Staff are consistent and clear about behaviour expectations. This helps children gain an accurate understanding about what is expected of them. For example, they know where to line up before some activities and to walk as they move between rooms.

Children's interests and personalities are well known, and staff use these well to build on children's learning and personal development. Staff focus effectively on filling gaps in children's learning and experiences, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, there is a strong curriculum focus on children's personal, social and communication development. Children learn to share and play cooperatively. For example, they enjoy taking turns to throw balls into buckets. They line up and pass balls to each other. Staff show an interest in children's lives. This encourages children to engage in conversations and strengthens their speaking and listening skills. Staff introduce new words as children play to extend vocabulary.

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

• Staff place a high priority on reading with children. They provide cosy and inviting book corners. Children know to sit facing the member of staff who is reading. They enjoy settling down on cushions and under blankets. This helps children focus and listen well. Staff read in engaging voices and skilfully draw children into conversations about the stories. This strong practice is helping children to develop a love of stories and books.
• Children develop lots of useful independence skills. Staff carefully teach children how to do things for themselves. They then ensure that children have plenty of opportunities to practise these skills. This builds children's confidence and self-esteem. For example, children persevere in putting on their own shoes. They smile with pride when they succeed.
• The well-planned and effectively sequenced programme of adult-focused learning is a real strength of the setting. Children show that they are remembering very well what they have been taught at these times. For example, children remember how to get their bodies into different yoga poses. These activities are also used very well to underpin learning about behaviour, listening and taking turns.
• Staff have identified that some children are interested in writing letters and words. Staff provide resources to encourage children to follow this interest. However, they do not always teach children accurately how to form letters and hold pencils, to best support this aspect of children's literacy development.
• A well-considered key-person system is used very well to help children build trusting relationships with staff. The manager carefully considers children's personalities and needs when deciding which staff will act as key person for which children. Children look to their key person for reassurance and guidance when needed. These warm, trusting relationships are used very well to develop children's confidence and independence.
• Staff use mealtimes to encourage independence. However, they are less effective at using these times to give consistent messages about healthy food choices. For example, staff do not make the most of opportunities to help children consider which contents of their lunch boxes are the most nutritious.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak in glowing terms about their children's time at nursery. They find the staff approachable and understanding. Staff support children's learning at home effectively. During periods when the nursery was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff regularly shared suggestions for home learning activities. Parents report that this was very beneficial to children's ongoing progress.
• The manager is very supportive of her staff team. She leads by example with her own teaching skills. She ensures staff's workload is not overly burdensome and monitors and supports staff's well-being. This helps ensure a happy and positive environment for staff and children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff's understanding of how and when to help children hold pencils and form letters correctly, to enhance the literacy curriculum further
• develop more opportunities for children to learn to make thoughtful decisions around healthy eating choices.