Ofsted Outstanding Childcare Across All Areas
We are proud to be recognised as an Ofsted Outstanding children's daycare nursery and preschool in Norfolk, rated Outstanding across all areas. Our provision offers outstanding early years childcare that exceeds expectations for quality early years learning in a nurturing, family-centred environment.
When we started thinking about opening Blossoms Childcare West Raynham, we weren't thinking about Ofsted Inspection Reports - we simply believed that putting the child at the centre of everything we do would provide the best outcomes for the children we cared for.
We didn't set out to be number one in our area - we set out to put the child first, in all areas. We didn't want to be 'just another childcare provider', doing things on a shoe-string budget, with the minimum staff required, and the bare minimum resources. We knew we could do better.
We believed that putting children before profits with resources second-to-none would be noticed by parents and carers across our community in Fakenham and the surrounding area, and that's what we've been doing since 2017 - the best children's nursery and preschool near Fakenham.
We're really proud of our provision, the quality of care, education and resources, and our amazing team. Our parents and carers seem to notice that we put their children first. So, while we didn't do all of this to please an Ofsted inspector, it is lovely to be recognised by them as an Outstanding Daycare Nursery and Preschool across all areas.
We knew we were good at what we do (we never do things by halves at Blossoms) but now you don't need to take our word for it - you can read our Outstanding Ofsted Report.
Highlights From Our Ofsted Report
What is it like to attend this early years setting?
We're proud to be an Ofsted Outstanding Nursery and Preschool serving our local community. Through effective and inspirational leadership, continuous investment, and our team of highly qualified, loving and caring childcare professionals, we're able to provide children with a nurturing and safe environment that is second-to-none.
The provision is outstanding
This is what Ofsted said about us in their report:
"Children thrive in this nurturing and welcoming environment. Parents announce their child's arrival at the setting using the bespoke Blossoms app. This enables staff to greet their individual key children personally. Staff get to know children exceptionally well and create strong attachments with them.
"Children settle with ease. They develop close, trusting relationships with their key person. Staff place a strong emphasis on teaching values such as respect and responsibility. Children's behaviour is impeccable. They consistently use good manners, share, take turns and tidy away their toys without support. At lunchtime, children are allocated jobs such as fetching plates and cutlery for their friends.
"Staff are deeply attentive to developing children's independence. Even toddlers chop their own fruits for snack using safety knives and chopping boards. Staff take time to teach toddlers how to wash their hands after they have had their nappies changed. There is a calm and purposeful atmosphere of learning throughout the setting.
"All children get thoroughly immersed in their play. Staff meticulously plan a wide range of engaging activities. Children confidently join in small group activities. Staff adapt their interactions to meet individual children's needs. All children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, make excellent progress with their learning and development."
What does the early years setting do well?
Teaching & Learning
"Teaching is consistently outstanding. Staff use every opportunity to encourage children to think deeply. At snack time staff provide a menu to help children understand how many pieces of different fruit they are allowed. This helps younger children to learn about counting in meaningful ways. Preschool children vote for which story they would like to hear. Staff help children to count how many votes each book has, and which book has received more. Children develop their understanding of democracy.
"Staff provide excellent support for children's language development. There is a strong focus on literacy and children develop a love for reading. Staff help children to remember the sequence of stories as they act these out in the garden and children make 'Gruffalo crumble' in the mud kitchen. Staff teach babies sign language and the names of fruits they eat for snack. Toddlers learn and remember new words such as 'plums' and 'satsumas'. Staff work closely with other professionals to support the individual needs of children.
"Children learn to value the world around them. They read books and paint pictures of flowers. Outside, children plant seeds and flowers. Staff build on previous learning and help children decide where to put their flowers, so they grow well. This builds children's reasoning skills. There is a strong focus on diversity. Children create resources which reflect their different homes. They celebrate their fathers and other special adults. Different types of families are fully included and celebrated.
"Staff prioritise the health, safety and well-being of children. Children enjoy nutritious home-cooked food and comment on how much they like the broccoli. Staff take children to the local park to help them develop their physical skills. Toddlers enjoy using trigger sprays when playing with water which helps them develop their fine motor skills. Staff help children to develop their emotional literacy. Children use mirrors to observe their faces when they are feeling happy or sad."
Quality of Partnerships
"Parents state that staff provide exceptional care and education. They value the daily communication they receive from staff about their children's progress. They comment on how developed their children's social skills are. Parents are really pleased with how children are supported with the transition to school. Despite feeding into multiple local schools, staff collaborate with individual teachers to ensure that every child is ready for the next stage in their education."
Inspirational Leadership
"Leaders of the setting are passionate and inspirational. They maintain a reflective culture that drives continuous improvement. Staff feel valued and supported. They receive supervision meetings and regular professional development opportunities from leaders. This has helped contribute to a highly qualified and experienced workforce and excellent teamwork. Staff are empowered to provide the highest quality care and education to each child."
Safeguarding Children
"The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first."
Download Our Outstanding Ofsted Inspection
Click this link to download a PDF copy of our latest Ofsted Inspection:
Ofsted Outstanding Childcare
We're proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted - the highest possible rating for childcare providers in England
Overall effectiveness
The quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management
Read Our Ofsted Outstanding Report
Links to Read More
Nursery Location
Visit Blossoms Childcare on the former RAF West Raynham airbase in Norfolk
Blossoms Childcare Nursery & Preschool
Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7PA