Castle Nursery and Preschool

Castle Nursery and Preschool 14 South Hill, GUILDFORD, Surrey, GU1 3SY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 March 2015 23 June 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children make exceptional developmental progress because staff know them very well and are highly skilled at promoting their learning and development.  Children's individual needs are extremely well met because staff work effectively with parents to involve them in children's learning and development.  The manager uses her extensive qualifications and experience to skilfully evaluate the quality of the nursery and guide and support staff so that outcomes for children continually improve.  Children are provided with an exciting and stimulating range of activities and resources that successfully motivate them during their play, although opportunities to learn about the local community and wider world are slightly better for older children than they are for the younger children.  Since the last inspection, the nursery has made significant improvements to the outdoor play area, which has successfully promoted children's learning outdoors.

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This provision is outstanding

 Children are extremely happy and settled due to the caring and attentive approach from staff.

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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

 provide babies and younger children with regular opportunities to increase their awareness of the local community and the wider world.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in all the group rooms and the outdoor play area.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager of the provision in the pre-school group room.  The inspector talked with staff, children and the manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at planning and assessment records, checked evidence of staff suitability and qualifications, and viewed the self-evaluation form and improvement plan.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and from documentation.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff plan an outstanding range of activities that provide children with challenge. They constantly teach them new skills that prepare them exceptionally well for their future and starting school. Staff respond enthusiastically to children's interests and the choices they make during their play to extend their learning. As a result, children keep on trying as they find new ways to do things and solve problems. For example, they take part in Forest School activities and learn about safety as they use real tools to make wooden necklaces. All children, including children with special educational needs, are exceeding, reaching or are likely to reach expected levels of development. Partnership with parents is outstanding. Staff plan numerous nursery events that involve parents in children's learning and development. For example, they organise 'stay and play' sessions.

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outstanding

Staff successfully promote children's self-confidence and independence by guiding and supporting them during their play. They work hard to form strong bonds with their key children and the whole family. This helps children feel respected and secure. Children's physical development is extremely well promoted through regular outdoor play. Their learning outdoors is enhanced by opportunities to access an exceptionally well-resourced outdoor classroom, lit with fairy lights. Children enjoy swinging in a hammock suspended over safety mats between the garden trees. Staff actively promote children's awareness of differences in society. For example, children take part in dragon dances for Chinese New Year. They listen to a Welsh choir singing while eating chicken and leek stew and Welsh cakes for St David's Day. Staff communicate and interact with children in an exceptionally positive way. This significantly contributes to the welcoming and friendly atmosphere in

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outstanding

the nursery where children's individual needs are extremely well met.

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provision is outstanding

Children's welfare is extremely well safeguarded. Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. The nursery owners fully support staff professional development. Consequently, staff continually extend their childcare qualifications, including the manager who now holds Early Years Professional Status. The manager's role is clearly established and self-evaluation is exemplary. The manager provides staff with excellent support, supervision and training opportunities that successfully develop their practice and improve outcomes for children. For example, she delivers training sessions that enable staff to significantly improve children's learning outdoors. The manager closely monitors activities and children's progress using a new online assessment system. Actions and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305501 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 834156 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 43 Number of children on roll 91 Name of provider Castle Daycare and Pre-school Ltd Date of previous inspection 23 June 2009 Telephone number 01483 533 344

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Setting details

Castle Nursery and Pre-school registered in 2005. It is open each weekday from 8pm until 6pm for 51 weeks of the year, with an optional early drop off at 7.45am. There are 14 members of staff, of whom seven hold appropriate qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The manager holds Early Years Professional Status and another member of staff has Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery and pre-school receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four.

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Setting details

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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Setting details

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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Setting details

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Setting details

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

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