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Giant Steps At River Bourne Farm

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2024)
·River Bourne Community Farm, Cow Lane, Salisbury, SP1 2SR · Wiltshire
Number of places
41 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2024
Local authority
Wiltshire

About this day nursery

Giant Steps at River Bourne Farm is a private day nursery located in Salisbury, offering childcare for children from birth to five years old. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm, for 51 weeks of the year, closing only for Bank Holidays and Public Holidays.

The Laverstock setting is situated within the River Bourne Community Farm, providing children with unique learning opportunities through interactions with farm animals and the natural environment. The nursery prioritises an inclusive approach, featuring wheelchair access and disabled facilities.

Learning experiences are enriched through outdoor exploration, including visits to barns and fields, encouraging hands-on engagement with nature. The curriculum is designed to build upon children's existing knowledge and interests, fostering strong partnerships with parents.

The nursery also focuses on developing essential skills like listening and concentration, particularly for pre-schoolers, to prepare them for school. They are committed to safeguarding children and adhere to rigorous Child Protection Policies and Procedures.

What it's like

Children love learning at this farm-based nursery, experiencing regular, first-hand experiences from the provider's intended curriculum, such as visiting a recently born Alpaca. They have a positive attitude to learning, gaining skills for their future development, and persevere in outdoor activities like putting on wet-weather gear to explore the farm.

Farm-based learningOutdoor play emphasisedInclusive accessChild-led learning

Pricing & funding

Fees vary by location, age group, and session type, with packages available for full-time, full day, half day, or hourly care. Optional daily food charges apply depending on the site. Fees are paid monthly.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Fees are payable on the first of the month by standing order.
  • Fees are payable irrespective of attendance.
  • An optional daily food charge is applicable at both sites.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, 51 weeks a year (excluding Bank Holidays and Public Holidays)

Age range

0-5 years

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Giant Steps At River Bourne Farm

Last inspected 9 July 2024 · Jonathan Payne

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children love learning at this farm-based nursery, experiencing regular, first-hand experiences from the provider's intended curriculum, such as visiting a recently born Alpaca. They have a positive attitude to learning, gaining skills for their future development, and persevere in outdoor activities like putting on wet-weather gear to explore the farm.

Inspector highlights

  • Children love learning at this farm-based nursery.
  • Children have a positive attitude to learning and gain skills to support their future development.
  • Leaders have developed a curriculum with clear, ambitious goals to give children the knowledge they need to succeed.
  • Leaders and staff have built good partnerships with parents.
  • Children behave well and build positive friendships with their peers.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to embed the curriculum intent in all areas of the learning so that children's learning has greater focus that supports them to make even more progress
  • 2improve the consistency of the quality staff interactions with children to ensure all children use new vocabulary in their speech.
Inspection #10351162 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff know children well, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They put in place support that helps children with SEND catch up with their peers. Leaders and staff make sure that all children feel included through good relationships with both children and their parents. Leaders and staff have built good partnerships with parents. They proactively identify children's needs and communicate these to parents, particularly children with SEND. Staff take quick action and arrange targeted support to ensure children close gaps in learning.

Outdoor space

Young children persevere as they put on wet-weather coats and wellies and stride into the farm in small groups. When children play in the rain, staff ensure their hoods are up and that they are warm. Children use sand timers as a visual tool to negotiate fair turn-taking when sharing bikes in the outdoor area.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

9 July 2024

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Giant Steps At River Bourne Farm

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more