The Avenue Nursery School

Avenue Nursery School 2 Hyde Park Avenue, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6SL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 May 2015 15 January 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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

 The quality of teaching is consistently excellent. Staff are highly skilled and are extremely confident in their knowledge of how children learn and develop through play. Children enjoy an extremely good balance of planned and self-chosen activities. Planned activities are sharp and focused, and timed very well to take account of the ages and abilities of children participating in the group.  Staff make excellent observations of children to assess their progress, and to put in place extremely good individual learning plans. They monitor these very well, making sure children have rich and varied learning experiences that are exciting and challenging. Consequently, children make excellent progress.  Settling-in procedures are excellent and individual to the needs of each child. Staff make extremely good use of early visits to talk to parents about what their children like to do, and about how they will monitor each child's progress. This is most effective in

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This provision is outstanding

engaging parents in children's learning from the beginning because they become involved in identifying their children's starting points.  Children have excellent relationships with staff, who are extremely caring and responsive to their needs. Children are happy and confident, with very good self- esteem. They take pride in being independent, they are extremely well behaved, and they understand and respond very well to adults' high expectations.  A major strength of the setting is the quality of staff supervision and performance management. The provider values the skills of the staff team highly, and dedicates time to their ongoing professional development, including training. As a result, staff have excellent motivation and are successful in sustaining the highest possible standards of care and learning for children.

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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

 extend the opportunities for children to explore using their senses when outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children engaged in activities indoors and outside, and their interactions with staff.  The inspector tracked children at play and sampled their learning records.  The inspector had discussions with the provider, staff, parents, and children.  Although they did not carry out a formal joint observation, the provider and the inspector shared their observations of practice throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled regulatory documentation relating to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children communicate extremely well, and activities that develop their speaking and listening skills are excellent. For example, staff described a selection of farm animals without naming them, asking children to identify each from the description. Children listened carefully, and they thought about their answers before giving them. Consequently, they were usually correct. Children are very curious and inquisitive. They ask lots of interesting questions, for instance, is a handrail the same as a banister. Staff are consistent in always asking other children present if they know the answer, and giving them time to formulate a response. As a result, they express some charming and original ideas. Such as, 'banisters are what Mary Poppins slides down', but a 'handrail is what they hold', to keep safe going downstairs. Staff keep parents actively involved in their children's learning by giving them ideas for things they can easily do at home with children. Such as,

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who attend. This is outstanding

drawing zigzag patterns to develop writing skills. Staff prepare children extremely well for moving on to school. They make sure children are confident and independent, and have the skills they need to manage the move on to the next level in their learning.

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outstanding

All areas, inside and outside, are exceptionally well organised and there is an extensive range of interesting, stimulating resources. This results in a bright, vibrant, environment that children eagerly explore and investigate. Outside areas are as well-equipped as indoors to promote effective learning in all areas, although there are fewer resources that encourage children to explore using all of their senses when outside. Nonetheless, children immensely enjoyed investigating the soil as they planted seeds and they were fascinated with the way light reflected on an insect's wings. Children are physically active and they thoroughly enjoy energetic ball games that develop their accuracy when throwing, catching and kicking. These games also successfully encourage children to learn to work together as a team.

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provision is outstanding

Staff have an excellent knowledge of the setting's procedures to safeguard children. They ensure these are strictly adhered to, in order to protect children from harm. Systems to monitor the effectiveness of the provision are extremely rigorous. Self-evaluation is excellent and is an ongoing process that successfully involves parents and children. It measures the success of any initiative, such as reviewing provision for two-year-olds, by the impact on children's progress. For instance, young children's attention has improved and their confidence grown since introducing daily 'special time' away from older friends.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 507870 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 826190 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 49 Name of provider Christine Stevens Date of previous inspection 15 January 2009 Telephone number 01278 663040

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Setting details

Avenue Nursery School is a privately owned setting that registered in September 1992. It is situated close to the centre of North Petherton, near Bridgwater, Somerset. There is a large secure outdoor play area. The setting provides funded sessions for two- three- and four-year-old children. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday during term time, and for two weeks of the summer holidays. There are seven members of staff. One is a qualified teacher, another has an early years degree, and four have Level 3 qualifications.

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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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