The Oaks Nursery

The Oaks Nursery The Oaks Childrens Centre, Grange Road, FELIXSTOWE, Suffolk, IP11 2LA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 August 2015 29 May 2012

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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 consistently use a variety of good, and sometimes outstanding, teaching methods. Staff confidently follow the children's interests and spontaneously extend their learning so that children's progress is, at the very least, good.  A well-established key-person system ensures that parents are fully aware of what their children have been doing at nursery and how their learning and development are progressing. Parents are encouraged to share children's achievements and special occasions from home too.  Staff teach children the importance of fresh air, exercise and rest to help them begin to make independent lifestyle choices. Children frequently choose when they need to sleep and happily settle in safe, cosy areas of the nursery.  Providers and senior management use robust selection and recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children and for their specific role within

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This provision is good

the nursery.  Providers and managers are motivated and strive to provide high-quality childcare and education. Staff are well qualified and access a variety of opportunities to enhance their already good knowledge and understanding of how children learn and the quality of their teaching. Consequently, they continue to effectively extend children's learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the most of every opportunity to encourage children to develop their skills in critical thinking.  Staff do not always maximise baby's opportunities to learn from each other and interact with their friends at snack and meal times.

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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 and discussions  review the arrangements used at snack and meal times in the baby area to increase opportunities for babies and toddlers to interact and learn from each other.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities, both in the inside and the outside areas of the nursery and spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector met with managers and providers at appropriate times.  The inspector looked at the evidence of the suitability of staff working with children and a range of documentation, including safeguarding procedures, accident records, staff induction records and evidence of staff and child ratios.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and monitoring systems.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the quality of teaching.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day and as recorded in feedback sheets.

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who attend. This is good

Staff effectively plan interesting activities to help children learn and develop. They follow children's interests and encourage children to use resources in an imaginative way. Children enjoy decorating boxes before taking them into the mud pit to create a worm house. Staff work very closely with parents, sharing ideas and resources for them to extend children's learning at home. However, staff sometimes miss opportunities to encourage children to think critically or solve problems as they experiment and play. For example, children are not always prompted to work out how to make shapes from dough. Children are effectively supported in their learning, which helps them in readiness for school. They confidently use scissors and pencils, recognise the letters in their names and numbers on a computer keyboard. Staff ensure that children who speak English as an additional language are appropriately supported in their learning. For example, they find

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who attend. This is good

out key words from parents and use visual clues to support children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are also supported. Staff focus on children's individual educational plans to help children move to the next stage in their development.

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good

Staff quickly build strong relationships with children. The key-person system incorporates daily opportunities for children to spend dedicated times with their designated member of staff, which contributes to children feeling happy and secure. In turn, children swiftly gain confidence and develop the skills to learn effectively. Staff use consistent rules and reminders to encourage children to behave well. Children independently use sand timers to help them share and take turns with popular toys. Staff teach children to take age and developmentally appropriate risks, such as chopping fresh vegetables in preparation for their lunch. Children enjoy sharing the nutritious meals and snacks provided and natter to their friends and staff as they eat. However, staff do not always give babies as many opportunities to sit closely together as they eat, sometimes limiting their levels of interaction or opportunities to learn from others.

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provision is good

Managers regularly meet with staff to ensure policies are followed, to reflect on teaching methods and to address any issues or concerns. Managers constantly review how to keep children safe and ensure all staff know what could trigger a concern about children's welfare. This helps to keep children safe in the nursery. Managers effectively monitor all children's progress. If any gaps are identified, either for individuals or groups of children, support is quickly found so that children continue to make good progress. Outside agencies and professionals frequently visit the nursery, also managers maintain strong working relationships with them. Managers seek ideas and feedback from everyone involved with the nursery, including parents, to help shape and improve the care and education provided. Managers work well with other local providers to ensure that children's learning is effectively extended in all settings that children attend.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440385 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 854063 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 109 Name of provider Alpha Nurseries Ltd Date of previous inspection 29 May 2012 Telephone number 01394 694752

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Setting details

The Oaks Nursery was registered in 2011 under its current ownership. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff, of whom 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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

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’.

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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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