Linden House Nursery

Linden House Nursery 83 West Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1SE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 March 2015 10 April 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Managers and staff are fully committed to improving the setting. Their self-evaluation is robust and they successfully plan, prioritise and implement changes. This has contributed to significantly raising the standard of practice at the setting and thereby improving the provision for children.  Staff implement purposeful teaching methods. They support all children well so that they make good progress in relation to their starting points.  Staff have very good partnership with parents. They offer them numerous opportunities to update their children's assessment records. They also provide practical guidance that successfully supports parents in extending children's learning at home.  Improved planning means that staff offer children a creative variety of activities that motivate and excite them. These support children in developing a positive approach to learning, thus preparing them well for the move to school.

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This provision is good

 Staff attend training and actively use their new knowledge. This has a positive effect on children. For example, children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities now receive improved support. They regularly work in small groups, where they sing, read and play games that support the development of their language.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the most of all routine opportunities to encourage children to develop their skills in critical thinking to the maximum.  Staff do not always organise the outdoor area so that children are able to make independent choices and extend their own play to the optimum.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance the opportunities for children to think critically during activities, for example, by asking more open-ended questions and allowing children additional time to respond  extend children's access to resources in the outdoor area so that they are able to make further independent choices and develop their own play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in all rooms and the outside area.  The inspector held meetings with the manager, the deputy manager and the setting's administrator. She carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector talked with children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation. She checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of practitioners working with children, the provider's self-evaluation information and improvement plan.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day and from information included in the setting's own parent survey.

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who attend. This is good

Well-planned, appealing activities extend children's learning. For example, children develop their creativity, manipulate tools and learn to work together in the 'builder's yard'. They work cooperatively to design a house and 'lay the bricks', working out the correct use for role-play tools, such as the drill and sander. In most activities staff encourage children's critical thinking. For example, they encourage children to fully explore jelly by describing the smell, colour and texture. Occasionally, they do not optimise these opportunities. For example, they name shapes and draw parts of illustrations, rather than giving children more time to do this themselves. Staff make good use of children's interests to promote their learning. They note young children's interest in music and provide a creative range of everyday items and instruments. Children thoroughly enjoy playing drums and noting the different tones as they bang saucepans with wooden

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who attend. This is good

spoons. Staff note children's preferred learning styles. For example, they observe that children enjoy talking near the window. They extend this by discussing what is happening outside and providing a range of books and comfortable cushions in this area.

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good

Staff gather a wide range of information from parents so that they know the children well. They maintain young children's home routines as much as possible. This supports children in settling and they quickly build secure attachments to staff. Children learn to manage their own behaviour and to build relationships with their peers as staff offer them sensitive support. This enables children to develop relevant social skills and prepares them well emotionally for school and future learning. Staff organise indoor areas effectively so that resources are accessible, enabling children to make independent choices. Resources in the outdoor area are not always as readily accessible. This means that children are not able to make as many choices and extend their play to the optimum. Children follow good routines that support the promotion of their good health. For example, they clean their teeth after meals and staff talk with them about the importance of good oral hygiene.

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provision is good

The manager and senior staff have a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They review all policies frequently and have responded promptly and efficiently to the previous inspection action and recommendations. Staff are well trained and have a good understanding of their responsibilities in safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. The manager's robust monitoring means that any gaps in children's learning are noted and addressed. For example, staff now offer children more opportunities to use a wider range of information and communication technology equipment. They have noted a significant improvement in children's learning in this area. The setting now works well with other childcare providers. They arrange meetings and regularly exchange assessment and planning information. This ensures that children receive consistent care and their learning and well-being are promoted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY103054 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 998374

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Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 57 Name of provider Dora Marie De Leonardis Date of previous inspection 10 April 2014 Telephone number 01582 662575

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Type of provision

Linden House Nursery was registered in 2002. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and six hold qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Type of provision

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.

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Type of provision

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

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

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

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