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Safari Childcare Runwell

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2024)
·
4.6(10 parent reviews)
·Liberty Way, Runwell, SS11 7LH · Essex
Number of places
52 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Safari Childcare Runwell Limited, which opened in 2022, provides care for children aged 0-4 years. 30pm.

The setting received an overall "Good" rating in its latest Ofsted inspection on 7th November 2024. Children at Safari Childcare Runwell are reported to be happy and warmly greeted by staff, forming secure attachments.

The leadership team has developed a clear, sequenced, and ambitious curriculum, with a strong focus on communication, language, and physical development. Children behave well, are encouraged and praised for their achievements, which supports their self-esteem and confidence, fostering a positive attitude towards learning.

The nursery promotes physical development through activities like outdoor play, where children use scooters and tricycles and practise large arm movements drawing with chalk. For children needing additional support with spoken language, staff effectively use Makaton sign language.

The nursery also focuses on developing a love for books and reading in older children through small group sessions using key books and songs.

What it's like

Children are happy and warmly greeted by staff, forming secure attachments. The leadership team uses a clear, sequenced, and ambitious curriculum focused on communication, language, and physical development. Children behave well, are praised and encouraged, and show pride in their achievements, fostering positive attitudes to learning.

Good Ofsted ratingStrong communication focusGood physical developmentMakaton sign languageSecure attachmentsAmbitious curriculum

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round from 7.30am until 6.30pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2022

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Safari Childcare Runwell

Last inspected 7 November 2024 · Shelly McDougall

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and warmly greeted by staff, forming secure attachments. The leadership team uses a clear, sequenced, and ambitious curriculum focused on communication, language, and physical development. Children behave well, are praised and encouraged, and show pride in their achievements, fostering positive attitudes to learning.

Inspector highlights

  • Children arrive happy and are warmly greeted by staff and demonstrate secure attachments.
  • The leadership team has a good understanding of how children learn and combines this with what children need to learn next to construct a clear, sequenced and ambitious curriculum. It's focus is on supporting children's communication, language, and physical development.
  • Children behave well, receive plenty of praise and encouragement, which supports their self-esteem and confidence.
  • Children are making good progress in their physical development, using an environment well planned for babies to develop core muscles and enjoying being physically active outdoors.
  • Leaders and staff identify key books and songs for children in each room, helping older children develop a love for books and reading through small group sessions.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the key-person approach so newly recruited staff have the relevant information they need to meet the individual needs of all children
  • 2continue to build on partnerships with parents to expand on the two-way exchange of information so that parents continue to feel fully informed about their child's progress and learning.
Inspection #10371519 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents reflect that there have been several changes in staff since their children started, but this is now settled.

Most comment that their children enjoy coming to the nursery and are pleased with their children's progress.

Parents feel the new staffing team is invested in their children's care and learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff use Makaton sign language to support the development of spoken language for those children who need additional support.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy being physically active outdoors, learning to navigate space while riding their scooters and tricycles on the hard surface. Staff provide opportunities for children to practise big arm movements as they encourage them to use chunky chalk to draw around their friends.

Parent Reviews of Safari Childcare Runwell

4.6
(10)
emilybethan
4 months ago

My daughter attended Safari from 9 months and had a lovely experience. She always went to nursery with a smile on her face and came home happy and full of stories about her day. She really bonded with Rachel and Becky although loved all the staff, talking fondly about Charlotte and Shannon who were always so friendly and showed genuine care for our girl. As a parent, we felt that concerns were taken seriously and dealt with promptly which made us feel confident in the care our daughter received. We look forward to our twins joining the tribe!

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Kate J
5 months ago

My little girl has been attending Safari Runwell since June. As a first time Mum it was incredibly daunting to leave my baby for the first time but the staff at Safari made the transition as smooth as possible for myself and my daughter. Since starting nursery I have found that she has learnt lots of new skills and she is absolutely thriving. The team is wonderful, her key person Rachel is always enthusiastic and full of energy, along with Georgia, Amira and Taya in the cub room. The management staff, Shannon, Selina and Chanel all know my daughter well and take a genuine interest in her development. I would absolutely recommend Safari Runwell.

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Charlotte Lostak
5 months ago

Our oldest son has just graduated from Safari & he thoroughly enjoyed his time there, forming fantastic bonds with the staff & being supported in so many ways. Our youngest son has just started, & we have been lucky enough to have Rachel as our key worker again. Rachel is a bright young lady who really does care about the children; she is a great asset to the Safari Runwell team! All the staff are fantastic, they all take the time getting to know your children & make you feel welcome. The children are very well fed, we receive regular updates about everything going on, & most importantly I have no worries leaving my son in Safari’s capable hands.

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David Birnie
5 months ago

Fantastic Early Years Setting! Safari Childcare has been incredible in supporting my son with his SEN needs and preparing him for his transition into Reception. The team have gone above and beyond to make sure he felt included, understood, and excited about learning every single day. Every day at Safari was an adventure — he couldn’t wait to go in every morning, (mainly for breakfast 😀). The care, patience, and dedication of the staff have helped him grow in confidence and independence, and we can’t thank them enough. We’re so impressed that our 11 month-has just started his own Safari adventure and his key worker Rachel has been amazing. We highly recommend Safari Childcare to any parent who wants their little one to flourish, develop, and be genuinely cared for.

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Abigail Wright
5 months ago

Since Lilly has started nursery back in April she has come leaps and bounds with her communication and her milestones her key worker and all the girls in cubs have worked so hard to look after her and get her where she needs to be and she always comes home happy and healthy and loves everyone, just seeing her little face light up each time she goes to nursery or even when I mention nursery to her just makes my heart melt. Lilly loves safari so much and I couldn’t have picked a better place ❤️

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Safari Childcare Runwell. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: November 2024

  • December 2024Good
  • November 2024Good

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