Millington Road Nursery School

Millington Road Nursery School Millington Road Nursery School, 4a Millington Road, CAMBRIDGE, CB3 9HP

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14/11/2014 04/06/2009

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 Children are highly motivated in their learning. As a result of this they make rapid progress towards the early learning goals.  The environment is laden in rich opportunities for children to freely explore. This results in rich, varied and imaginative play.  The leadership of this setting is inspiring. As a result of this culture of continual development and staff's thirst to learn, practice is exemplary.  Children learn to manage risk and challenge through their play, and staff are extremely confident in keeping them safe and ensuring their well-being. As a result, all children are kept safe from harm and thrive here.  Parents are highly valued as partners in their children's learning. This profoundly enhances the quality of learning, both in the home and in the nursery.  The educational programme is comprehensive and ensures that children reach their full potential in the nursery.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

p.2

Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a tour of the nursery.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed play and learning activities and spoke to children and staff in the indoor playrooms and outdoor environment.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a meeting with the manager and looked at and discussed a range of policies, procedures and documentation.  The inspector met took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability of practitioners working with children, including Disclosure and Barring Service records.  The inspector looked at the children's assessment records.

p.2

Information about the setting

Millington Road Nursery School first opened in 1963 and re-registered in 2008 when the board of trustees/directors formed a limited company to manage the setting. It operates from purpose-built single storey premises located on a private road in Newnham on the outskirts of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The setting is located down a long gravel driveway with limited vehicle access. There are several steps to the entrance. The setting is open five days a week from 8.15 to 4.30pm during school term times. All children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 70 children on roll who are within the early years age group. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four- year old children. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The nursery currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

p.3

Information about the setting

There are currently 10 staff working directly with the children, all of whom hold relevant qualifications between level 3 and level 7. The nursery has achieved the Eco School Green Flag and Silver Award.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance the already highly effective partnership with parents to gain greater insight into children's home learning experiences, to complement children's learning in the nursery.

p.3

who attend

Staff have remarkable knowledge and understanding of how children learn. As a result, children engage in inspirational learning experiences. As they play in the sand pit they are fully absorbed as they work collaboratively to understand the cause and effect of pumping water into the sand. They manage challenging equipment with precision, because they have been encouraged by staff who have high expectations of them. The environment is laden with meaningful learning opportunities across the seven areas of learning, such as the discovery table full of all things autumn. As a result, children make rapid progress in their learning given their starting points.

p.3

who attend

Teaching is exceptional because staff know when to allow children to independently explore in their play and when to become involved. Children splash in puddles with delight and highly skilful teaching encourages this to evolve into a rich, stimulating learning experience. Children who speak English as an additional language are extremely well supported in the nursery. As a result, they make astounding progress in their language and communication development given their starting points on entry to the nursery. Children demonstrate first-class language and communication skills. This is because staff have implemented highly effective strategies, as a result of their engagement in the 'Every child a talker' initiative. 'Chatterboxes' created at home provide an exciting opportunity for children to talk about things that are special to them. Children are highly skilled in creative, imaginative play, and develop and extend their own ideas through their play. For

p.3

who attend

example, used bicycle wheels, crates and old steering wheels become an aeroplane in which they 'fly to the sky' and then a car that is 'magic'. Children's learning is shared with parents in highly creative ways, although, there is scope to enhance ways that parents are invited to share home experiences to provide a rich base on which to build upon children's learning further.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The nursery embraces every opportunity to build strong relationships with parents and children, which fully supports the nurturing of each child. As a result, children are emotionally extremely well prepared for the next phase in their learning. Children's safety and well-being is firmly embedded in daily practice. Children are given regular opportunities to talk about how they feel and tackle small risks and challenges through their play. The nursery embraces their fascinations, such as, filling the new sink with water and releasing the plug to see what happens. As a result, children are becoming independent thinkers and creators of their own learning.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Staff pay meticulous attention to the needs of each child as they settle into the nursery with the support of their key person. They strive to make them feel happy and at ease by planning activities that they will like and spend time ensuring the child knows every area of the setting and how they may use these areas. Children's achievements are celebrated. As a result of this they are enthused to share photographs from home with their key person knowing that the staff truly care about them.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The setting participates in a 'Staying safe' programme. As a result, children develop strong skills in taking care of themselves, such as, what to do if they get lost, from an early age. The environment is abundant in opportunities to learn indoors and out. As a result, children are vibrant learners who embrace their interests and challenges throughout the whole nursery. Children learn to care for our planet as the nursery has achieved the Eco School Green Flag and Silver Award. The children recycle packaging after lunch, learning what can be reused. Children learn to care for others as the older children 'buddy' the younger children, promoting their strong sense of care for others. Staff provide clear expectations of behaviour and support children when they are frustrated, encouraging them to 'use their words'.

p.4

provision

The nursery is led by a management team that is truly passionate about children's learning. They are adept in meeting and monitoring the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The management team takes parents' views into account when evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum in the nursery, and uses this information as they drive learning forward for all children. They meticulously monitor children's progress across the areas of learning and swiftly implement effective strategies where progress is not apparent. Children's next steps in learning are in place and staff continue to reflect on and analyse these.

p.4

provision

The manager has a high level of understanding about meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, children are extremely safe and well cared for in the nursery. All staff attend safeguarding training and are proactive in keeping children safe in the nursery. They are extremely confident about what to do if they had a concern about a child. The nursery has meticulous systems in place for the recruitment of staff. This ensures that staff are suitable and skilled to care for children. Decisions about staffing are made based on personal qualities, as well as qualifications, to ensure that the children, particularly those who are most vulnerable, receive the highest quality care and nurturing.

p.5

provision

Staff are managed by a manager who 'leads learning'. As a result, staff embrace training and other opportunities to learn. Staff support each other in developing their practice through the use of peer observations, which enables them to share excellent practice. There is a healthy culture of continually reflecting on every aspect of practice to ensure it is always as relevant and effective for the children attending as it can possibly be. The setting enthusiastically works in partnership with parents and children flourish as a result. The nursery works in collaboration with external partners to provide the very best early year's experience for all children, this includes close partnerships with the local children's centre.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.6

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Setting details

Unique reference number EY385967 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 858949

p.7

Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 70 Name of provider The Millington Road Nursery School Trust Date of previous inspection 04/06/2009 Telephone number 01223 356565

p.7

Type of provision

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.8

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children,

p.8

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.9

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9