Tortoise Nursery

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Tortoise Nursery 7 Wrekin Professional Centre Holyhead Road, Wellington TELFORD Shropshire TF1 2EH Our Reference 208279

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Dianne Adams, monitored your provision on 04/02/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 08/11/2013, we sent you a notice to improve. The actions you were set are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit the inspector discussed with your deputy manager the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She observed interaction between staff and children in the toddler and pre-school rooms and had discussions with individual members of staff. The inspector also spoke to representatives from the local authority. She looked at your observation, assessment and planning records, safeguarding procedures, risk assessments, self-evaluation and supervision of staff.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have developed a clear and concise action plan to support improvement and address the issues raised at your last inspection. You have reviewed and are continuing to improve systems to evaluate the quality of practice of all staff working in the nursery and the impact this has on children's learning. This continues to support you to accurately identify how to address the areas for improvement identified at your last inspection and to plan for ongoing improvement.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have sent all your staff on training to develop their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. You have also introduced effective systems to monitor their knowledge through on-going discussions at supervision sessions and team meetings. Staff now demonstrate a strong understanding of the signs of abuse and the action they must take when concerned about a child's welfare. In addition, the inspector found that all staff complete robust risk assessments of the safety and security of the premises both indoors and Our Reference 208279

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Outcome of monitoring

outdoors. As a result, children are protected from harm and their safety is prioritised.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have welcomed support from the local authority, which includes working with a qualified teacher to develop staff's confidence and their skills in identifying and supporting children with special educational needs. The inspector found that you are in the process of developing consistent practice to fully support all children's learning. You have recently made changes to the way staff observe, assess and plan for children's learning. This has led to significant improvement in the teaching and learning for children in the toddler room. Staff now complete regular assessments of the progress all children are making and clearly identify the steps that need to be taken to support their learning further. This results in children benefiting from appropriate support to make progress in all areas of their learning. Staff have also improved upon how they share this information between themselves and with parents in order for everyone to have an accurate picture of children's overall

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Outcome of monitoring

learning. This includes staff working closely with parents and completing informative progress checks at age two. The inspector found that although some staff working in the pre-school room are less confident about how to use the new system to support children's learning, they do demonstrate that they are continuing to improve.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have improved the support provided to develop the skills of all staff working with children. Staff providing cover and those on apprenticeships now benefit from being assigned a 'buddy' which has resulted in them having a more secure understanding of the intentions for the day and for each individual child's learning. As a result, children benefit from a more stimulating and challenging educational programme. In addition, all staff have benefitted from very regular team meetings, supervision sessions and training events to secure their knowledge and understanding. The manager is continuing to improve how she monitors and supports staff when new systems are introduced and she has clear plans to address weaknesses in teaching and learning through continued monitoring and support.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection. Our Reference 208279

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education Our Reference 208279

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Action Due date Closed date

improve arrangements for assessing all children's ability in order to more accurately monitor the rate of their progress across all areas of learning and to tailor planning to meet the learning and development needs of each child, especially those with special educational needs 04/02/2014 04/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that there is a consistent approach to completing the progress check for children aged two and that staff are fully trained in how to work closely with parents to identify a child's strengths and any areas where the child's progress is less than expected 04/02/2014 04/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve training, support and monitoring of those staff who are new, providing cover or on apprenticeships to ensure that children's learning and development and continuity of care is not compromised and that every child's experiences are tailored to meet their individual needs 04/02/2014 04/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure the risk assessment process covers specific issues relating to children's individual care and any hazards they may come into contact with, in order to help staff to carry out best safety practice. 04/02/2014 04/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure all staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding issues and the procedures to follow to protect children, so that concerns are referred promptly to the correct agencies 04/02/2014 04/02/2014

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