Castle Nursery and Preschool

Castle Nursery Old School Close, Off Markenfield Road, GUILDFORD, Surrey, GU1 4QJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 November 2015 12 January 2010

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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

 Children are provided with a good range of interesting activities and resources that successfully motivate them during their play.  Staff work effectively as a team, and in partnership with parents and other agencies, to meet children's individual needs well.  Leaders use self-evaluation effectively to review practice and to introduce new initiatives that continually improve children's care and learning. These changes have helped maintain the nursery's good standards.  Children develop good behaviour, independence and self-help skills that successfully prepare them for their future learning and for starting school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children learning English as an additional language do not join in some activities. This slows their progress in some areas.

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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

 strengthen the monitoring of children who are learning English as an additional language to ensure they are fully included in all activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outdoor play areas.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery's manager.  The inspector talked with staff, children and the manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at samples of children's assessment records, planning documentation and checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of practitioners working with children, the provider's self-evaluation form and the improvement plan.  The inspector took account of parents' views from parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and from documentation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

All staff have regular, individual support meetings. The nursery manager values staff skills and actively seeks their views and contributions. She successfully builds the professional development and qualifications of staff through training opportunities. As a result, the well-qualified staff team provides children with good quality care and education. The manager implements all the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements effectively, including responding to any complaints and concerns made about the provision. She checks activity planning and talks to staff about children's individual needs. Safeguarding is effective. All staff are aware of, and comply with, safeguarding requirements well. The front door to the nursery is kept locked at all times. The premises and outdoor play areas are safe and secure. Staff supervise children well at all times. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe and assess children's progress well. Children enjoy a range of activities that aid their development. Staff plan enjoyable activities to help children begin to recognise the letters in their names. Children are creative, such as when making model rockets, pictures of fireworks and collages from leaves. They enjoy learning how to use real tools, including scissors. Staff join in children's play and provide good support to help them use the resources successfully. Children gain good physical skills through varied activities that capture their interests. They learn how to keep themselves safe, such as when negotiating a ladder. Staff provide good support to babies during their outdoor experiences.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are well behaved and cooperative. Staff observe children's behaviour closely and are consistent in making sure that children know their expectations. Children discuss the nursery's rules. They develop good social skills, and learn to be kind and to respect others. Children form close friendships with other children. They enjoy activities in which they work together cooperatively. Staff have a caring and friendly approach. They quickly form secure emotional attachments with their key children when these children first start. Children's physical well-being is well promoted. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals that are freshly prepared. Children learn to confidently choose resources that staff make easily accessible across the learning environments.

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Outcomes for children are good

Most children make good progress from their developmental starting points, and those who are learning English as an additional language make typical progress for their ages. Children develop the key skills needed for the next steps in their learning and for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305509 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 1031141 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 80 Number of children on roll 147 Name of provider Castle Daycare and Pre-school Ltd Date of previous inspection 12 January 2010 Telephone number 01483 458 877

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Setting details

Castle Nursery registered in 2005 and is situated in Guildford, Surrey. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 7.45am until 6.15pm for 51 weeks of the year.There are 25 staff employed to work with the children, of whom 21 hold appropriate qualifications. The nursery is accredited to receive government funding for the provision of free early education to 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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