The Valley Nursery School

The Valley Nursery School Wheelgate House, Trevowah Road, Crantock, NEWQUAY, Cornwall, TR8 5ES

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 July 2015 9 December 2010

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 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

 Staff provide stimulating activities for children, which successfully promote interest and learning through play. Children make good progress in their development because they are inquisitive and confident learners due to the effective teaching.  The nursery has a significant strength in outdoor learning. Children thrive in the fresh air and have great fun as they investigate. They show eager curiosity, creativity and competent physical skills as they play in the various outdoor areas.  Parents provide highly complimentary feedback about the nursery. Staff communicate well with parents and involve them in children's learning. Families enjoy taking part in special events and fundraising activities.  Staff have positive working relationships with parents, other agencies and schools. They seek and share relevant information, to support children's individual needs effectively. Senior staff work in partnership with the local authority on specific pilot

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This provision is good

schemes, to further support children's learning and development.  Leadership and management is strong, with robust systems to monitor staff suitability and the quality of teaching through effective staff supervision. The self-evaluation procedure clearly identifies strengths and plans for further improvements.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although babies relate well to staff, the key-person system does not restrict the numbers who care for babies, to promote a more consistent approach to their care.  Not all staff are confident enough in using their sign language skills to establish consistent practice across the nursery and increase the communication support for all 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

 review the key-person system for babies, so that babies develop stronger relationships with their key person, and to extend consistent support in their personal care and learning  develop staff confidence in using their sign language skills more frequently, to further support the ways in which children can understand and communicate.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff and children in their indoor and outdoor activities.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and parents.  The inspector sampled children's development records.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector checked safety of the premises and specific documentation.

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who attend. This is good

Staff have a good knowledge of children's learning and development. Their observation, assessment and planning procedures are effective to address gaps in children's progress. For example, staff quickly identify individual learning needs and provide additional support to help children achieve their specific goals. Staff interact well with children and successfully promote key skills, which prepare children for school. For instance, children maintain good concentration and engross themselves in learning. Babies and toddlers enjoy sensory play and experience a wide variety of play materials. Pre-school children show exemplary skills as they plan and construct together outdoors. For instance, they create a den with branches and make a climbing area with the hay bales. Children make bird feeders to take home, to share their wildlife observations with their family.

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good

Staff are kind, caring and attentive towards children. They enjoy their work and create a nurturing environment. Effective introductory visits reassure new parents and children, which promotes positive relationships. However, although babies settle and feel secure, the rotation of staff means that their key person is not always accessible and available. Staff promote children's good health and provide nutritious food. They gently encourage babies and toddlers to try different tastes and textures. Children learn how things grow and harvest their own produce in a poly-tunnel with staff. To extend learning and activities further, staff are creating an allotment area, which shows how they continuously reflect on practice and adapt the educational programmes to meets children's needs. Children develop a sense of responsibility and have positive attitudes. For example, they help to care for the pet tortoise and show a keen interest in the natural world. Families greatly

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good

enjoyed being together at the nursery's tree planting day and are currently developing the sensory garden.

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provision is good

Since the last inspection, the nursery has provided a separate unit for babies with direct access to a garden area, which has improved the facilities. Staff supervise children well to keep them safe and vigilantly check sleeping babies. They complete appropriate training on child protection and have opportunities to discuss safeguarding matters. Staff attend various courses to support their professional development, which makes a positive improvement to practice. For example, staff have increased the use of pictures to support children's understanding and behaviour. Overall, the improved teaching methods and activities are beneficial to children's language development. However, although staff use some sign language with children, their practice is inconsistent.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103008 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 835679 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 90 Name of provider The Valley Nursery School Committee Date of previous inspection 9 December 2010 Telephone number 01637 830680

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Setting details

The Valley Nursery School opened in 1988. The nursery is privately owned and operates from its own premises in a rural area in Crantock, Newquay. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, all year round, and a holiday club is available to children aged three to eight years old. There are nine members of staff employed to work with the children, seven of whom have relevant early years qualifications. The manager has Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery receives early education funding to provide free places for children aged two, three and four years old.

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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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