Witham Nursery

Witham Nursery 52 Maldon Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 1HN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 November 2015 8 August 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Excellent settling-in procedures support children to be emotionally settled and build highly nurturing relationships with staff. Children behave exceptionally well and play and learn together very happily.  Inclusion is a key strength in the setting, providing exceptional care for all children. Highly effective communication and partnerships with parents and other professionals help ensure everyone is fully aware of children's individual needs. As a result, children experience continuity in their care and learning, and receive excellent support.  The highly qualified staff are extremely committed to providing challenging and memorable learning opportunities for all children. Their knowledge and experience underpins the exceptionally high-quality of teaching.  Staff use precise and effective observations, assessment and planning systems to enhance children's individual progress and development. All children, including disabled

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This provision is outstanding

children and those with special educational needs, and those who speak English as an additional language, make significant progress from their initial starting points.  Children are supported particularly well to develop confidence and independence. This ensures they are ready for the next stage of their learning and prepares them for school.  The management team stringently monitors the effectiveness of all aspects of the provision, and shows immense commitment to continuous improvement.

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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

 continue to enhance the learning environment in relation to areas for rest, relaxation and quiet activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with leaders at appropriate times during the inspection and in a scheduled meeting.  The inspector took account of the views of children, staff, and parents spoken to on the day of the inspection, and of the provider's self-evaluation.  The inspector observed children's activities and staff teaching inside and outside.  The inspector sampled relevant documentation, including policies, staff suitability records, and children's observation, assessment and planning records.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the daily manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are very effective. Recruitment of staff is rigorous and staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff benefit from precise and evaluative observation and supervision, which target their training and development. Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents contribute to their child's learning and assessment, and staff keep them fully informed of their child's progress and achievements. Staff work effectively with parents to ensure that children's attendance is good. The management team constantly and successfully evaluates their practice and provision. The views of parents, children, staff and other professionals are highly valued and included in the evaluation process. Management identifies and makes specific and targeted improvements. As a result, all aspects of the provision have been enhanced since the last inspection.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The quality of teaching is outstanding. There is an exceptionally high focus on developing children's communication skills in readiness for their next steps in learning. Staff use excellent questioning skills that make children think and respond. In addition, staff use signing, pictures and visual cue cards to further support and build on children's communication and language development. Staff offer the children a wealth of opportunities to investigate natural resources, develop their senses, use their imaginations and learn about the world around them. Children really enjoy their time at the nursery and show this through their high levels of involvement and eagerness to take part in activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children work well together and demonstrate their excellent language skills as they talk together and with staff. They successfully manage their own play by choosing to use sand timers to take turns at activities. During the daily routine, children are regularly given responsibility, which nurtures their self-esteem and sense of achievement. They help complete room risk assessments and confidently announce snack time. All children, including the youngest, look after their toys and tidy them away with enthusiasm. Children benefit from a very stimulating learning environment and extremely well-planned, interesting activities. There are opportunities for quiet time and rest, with plans to further improve the layout of the playrooms and cosy areas available.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children, including those receiving additional funding, make excellent developmental progress. Children are developing strong key skills in readiness for school. Any gaps in learning are closing swiftly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY295639 Local authority Essex Inspection number 861547 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 78 Name of provider Belinda Frances Wakelin Date of previous inspection 8 August 2011 Telephone number 01376 511725

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Setting details

Witham Nursery was registered in 2004. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the three managers who all hold Early Years Professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. It is open from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery is also in receipt of the early years pupil premium. It supports disabled children and those with special educational needs, and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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