Dorchester Community Nursery School

Dorchester Community Nursery School York Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1QA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 November 2015 27 February 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The quality of teaching is consistently good, which has a positive impact on children's achievements. Children make good progress in all areas of learning and development.  Care practices are very positive. Staff ensure that children feel emotionally secure. Strong relationships help children develop independence, motivate their learning and prepare them well for the next stage of their education, such as school.  The manager ensures that staff understand their responsibility to promote children's safety at all times. Effective safeguarding procedures, that staff are confident to follow, mean they are aware of the appropriate action to take if they have a concern.  The manager regularly monitors staff practice and training as a priority. Staff continue to update their professional development, which has a positive impact on the learning outcomes for all children. For example, specialised training has improved how staff

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This provision is good

communicate with children and develop children's language skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Methods for gaining information from parents about children's starting points are not thorough to help staff plan for children's individual learning when they first start.  Staff do not always support children consistently, for example at tidy up time, meaning that at times, children are unsure of the boundaries and staff expectations, which affects their behaviour.

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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

 encourage parents to share more information about what their child can already do at home, and use this to help plan for their individual learning needs when they first start  strengthen staff skills to ensure that children receive consistent messages about the boundaries and expectations for their good behaviour.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children's activities inside and outside.  The inspector sampled a range of paperwork, including policies, risk assessments, online learning journals, self-evaluation documents and procedures.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy.  The inspector discussed the provision at appropriate times during the inspection with the staff, children and parents.  The inspector gathered the views of parents from questionnaires and discussions.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of how children develop and learn. They skilfully plan and provide a wide range of experiences based on a secure understanding of children's individual needs and interests. Positive partnerships with parents ensure that children receive consistent care in an environment that welcomes and actively encourages their involvement. The manager gathers information from parents, children, staff and the committee to help evaluate and monitor the provision. The manager monitors the planning along with the quality of teaching effectively. She does this very well because she works alongside staff each day. The manager regularly reviews the children's online learning journals to track their progress and ensure children access a broad and varied curriculum that takes into account their views. Safeguarding is effective. This ensures the nursery protects children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff demonstrate a sharp focus on helping all children in their communication and language skills, and physical, personal, social and emotional development. This helps all children to develop well, with any gaps in their development closing significantly. Staff support children positively to enjoy learning about mathematics. Children put pegs into boards and count as they do this, and they count the number of children present. This helps them learn to match items and numbers. Children have many opportunities to practise their early writing skills. Staff use very good teaching skills to engage them in their learning. They teach children to listen and develop their concentration skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are confident and happy as they interact with each other and staff. The key- person system is very effective and staff know the children and their families well. Staff show care, concern and affection towards the children and create a warm, safe, caring environment. Staff teach children effectively about good health, emotional well-being and physical development. This happens during activities that enable children to enjoy the outdoors and exercise each day. Children are becoming increasingly independent and they manage their personal care needs, helping to prepare them well for their future. Children who are learning English as an additional language and those who need additional help receive good support from staff. Children routinely learn about their similarities and differences through purposeful activities and effective staff planning. This helps children to develop respect and understanding for each other.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are curious and active learners, secure that their voices and opinions are of value. This promotes their self-assurance, thus boosting their motivation to learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 139333 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 825720 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 52 Name of provider Dorchester Community Nursery School Association Committee Date of previous inspection 27 February 2009 Telephone number 01305 265140

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Setting details

Dorchester Community Nursery School registered in 1993. It operates from a purpose-built building situated near the centre of Dorchester, the county town of Dorset. The nursery is run by a management committee. They open during term time only, Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3.30pm, with an early start option from 8.30am. A team of seven staff work with the children, five of whom hold early years qualifications. The manager and deputy have foundation degrees in early years. The bursar is a qualified primary teacher and two staff have qualifications at level 3. An administrative assistant works in the office. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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

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Setting details

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