A farm nursery, which uses “the layout and impressive environment” to improve learning experiences has retained its ‘good’ Ofsted.

Greenhouse Farm Nursery, in Laund Lane, Haslingden, was inspected in September and maintained its good report which was given in 2018.

The report described how the pre-schools is ‘good’ in its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

In the latest report, inspectors said: “Children succeed in their learning at this unique farm nursery. Leaders have carefully considered the layout and impressive environments to give children a variety of learning experiences.

“Leaders and staff want the very best for children and staff have high expectations for children's behaviour.

“Children become excited as they use homegrown vegetables to feed the nursery horse and rabbits. This supports children's understanding of learning to care for animals.”

They were also praised for their mindfulness of younger babies' personal and emotional development and regularly provide reassurance to the children.

There is also a clear focus surrounding the curriculum and staff encourage children to learn to be independent and develop resilience which is implemented during general play and planned activities.

Additionally, language and communication are implemented effectively, with core songs and stories becoming familiar to children.

The report continued: “Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive. Parents comment on the 'exceptional support' they receive from leaders and staff at the setting. Staff are consistent with sharing children's development and next steps.”

Health and wellbeing were also commended with older children learning the benefits of oral hygiene, with staff working in partnership with parents to reward good toothbrushing.

They were critiqued however for prolonged waiting times for lunch which led to some younger children becoming upset.

Inspectors added: “The curriculum for physical development is good. Younger children are learning to pull themselves to stand on low-level furniture.

“This supports children's developing core muscles. Older children learn to negotiate space and develop their balancing skills using planks of wood and tyres in the forest school.”

“Leaders help staff to feel happy in their roles. Staff report that their workload is manageable, and leaders go 'above and beyond' to ensure that the team is supported.”

However, the provider was criticised for breaching the statutory framework for the early year’s foundation stage having failed to notify Ofsted that they had a new director.

It did not impact their rating though as it was considered to have no impact on the children or the running of the nursery.