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Orchard Barns Ardleigh Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2022)
·
4.6(9 parent reviews)
·Redbury Barns, Redbury Farm, Colchester, CO7 7PQ · Essex
Number of places
68 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2022
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Orchard Barns Ardleigh Nursery is a private day care facility located in a bright and spacious converted barn, easily accessible from the A12, A120, and Manningtree railway station. The nursery provides care and education for children aged 3 months to 5 years, operating Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.

The setting boasts exceptional outdoor play spaces, including forest school-themed sessions and outdoor classrooms, complemented by inviting indoor areas with carefully selected high-quality furnishings and equipment. The curriculum goes beyond the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to promote deep learning and optimise each child's potential.

" The nursery aims to create a secure and happy environment where children learn through play. Menus are designed by a nursery chef and a paediatric dietician to cater to the specific needs of each age group.

They also have a structured settling-in process where children get to know their Key Person.

Our ethos

The Nursery’s approach goes above and beyond the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to foster deep level learning and optimise potential. They offer a range of unique educational experiences which enable children to become successful, lifelong learners including, Wake up and shake up, a range of bespoke activities which promote your child’s well-being and confidence, and Garden Champions.

What it's like

Children feel confident and happy in this caring and welcoming nursery, developing a strong sense of security and forming trusting relationships. Babies and toddlers enjoy improved opportunities to make choices about what they would like to do, supported to follow their interests. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully involved in activities and make good progress.

Forest SchoolConverted Barn SettingBeyond EYFS CurriculumExceptional Outdoor Space

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Food

Menus designed by nursery chef and paediatrician

Opening hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Orchard Barns Ardleigh Nursery

Last inspected 10 June 2022

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 feel confident and happy in this caring and welcoming nursery, developing a strong sense of security and forming trusting relationships. Babies and toddlers enjoy improved opportunities to make choices about what they would like to do, supported to follow their interests. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully involved in activities and make good progress.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team and staff have worked effectively together to meet the actions set at the last inspection.
  • Staff have a good understanding of what they want children to learn and the order in which they need to learn it.
  • The key-person arrangements are particularly supportive of the care needs of children with SEND.
  • Staff focus well on celebrating children's achievements, often using praise and clapping when children persevere to complete a task.
  • The new nursery manager demonstrates an ambitious vision for the future of the nursery.

Areas to develop

  • 1focus more precisely on extending older children's involvement and offering the highest levels of challenge during adult-led activities.
Inspection #10218634 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) become fully involved in activities and make good progress. Staff take time to learn children's individual vocal sounds, signs and facial expressions to help them respond to their requests and go further to raise awareness of the needs of children with SEND.

Outdoor space

Children move freely and safely around the indoor and outdoor spaces, which are carefully planned to be fully accessible. Children confidently say that they like to play outdoors and clearly explain how they pretend the climbing frame is 'a big ship in the swirly sea'.

Parent Reviews of Orchard Barns Ardleigh Nursery

4.6
(9)
Rebecca Penn
3 years ago

I have given the nursery 5 stars the reason for this being is my daughter has been attending this nursery for roughly a year and a half and she loves it. She has come on in leaps and bounds. She had a proof of 9 weeks of this year and started back 5th of September, to ensure her safe return the nursery has implemented a in depth risk assessment and organised 1:1 support for my daughter in areas that she needs it most. The staff team have been so supportive not only for my daughter but myself being mum. Her first day back was great and the smile on her face was warming. And I have even heard new words once again a big thank you to the team for a supportive few months.

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Tom Barker
4 years ago

My son currently attends this nursery, we are shocked and saddened that most of the 5 star reviews have been made by staff members and even managers. This is a huge conflict of interest given the recent inadequate Ofsted report with concerns over safeguarding being highlighted. Although my son has seemed happy here and gets on well with his key workers, we are now looking at removing him based on the Ofsted report. Unfortunately complacency has set in and for one of the most expensive nurseries in the area this simply isn’t acceptable. Tread carefully if you’re considering sending your child here.

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Manager Northcote
5 years ago

Excellent nursery with lovely gardens and fantastic staff and manager.

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Robyn Harris
5 years ago

Lovely friendly staff and a lovely nursery.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Orchard Barns Ardleigh Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: December 2021

  • July 2022Good
  • June 2022Good
  • January 2022Inadequate
  • December 2021Inadequate

Frequently asked about Orchard Barns Ardleigh Nursery

About the setting

Orchard Barn Nursery re-registered under new owners in 2019 and is part of a national chain. The nursery employs 19 members of staff and a chef, 12 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year, with sessions from 8am to 6pm, and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

URN
2550202
Registered person
Bright Stars Nursery Group Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Inadequate

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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