Willow Tree Nursery and Pre-school

Willow Tree Nursery and Children's Centre Chingford Avenue, Great Clacton, Essex, CO15 4US

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 November 2015 7 December 2010

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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

 The managers maintain extremely high standards through close monitoring and continuous self-evaluation which informs planning for improvement. Staff development needs are quickly met and new requirements immediately reflected in practice.  Staff ensure the environment is safe and are vigilant at all times. A wide range of robust health and safety policies and procedures are evident in practice.  The environment for learning is inspiring and a result of all staff working together to develop exciting indoor and outdoor spaces. High-quality resources, toys and equipment are easily accessible and attractive to children, who become highly engaged and focused learners.  Children form extremely strong and supportive bonds with staff, who are considerate and kind to them. Children are extremely well supported to learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They help to serve nutritious food and drinks, understand

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This provision is outstanding

and follow strict hygiene rules and routines, and begin to assess risks for themselves.  Strong partnerships with parents, other settings, schools, professionals and agencies ensure that the needs of all children are met. Information sharing is effective and parents feel extremely well informed.  Highly qualified staff support those who are less well qualified and experienced very well. Excellent recruitment, induction, supervision and appraisal systems ensure that all staff have a deep understanding of their roles and responsibilities and deliver high- quality care and education.

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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 explore creative ways of helping children to develop an even greater understanding of the wider world.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took a tour of the setting.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with a manager.  The inspector viewed children inside and outdoors and assessed the quality of teaching and learning.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation including children's records, policies and procedures, risk assessments, accident and medication records and qualification and suitability checks.  The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Leadership is inspirational. The managers work extremely effectively together to ensure that all staff are very well supported. Key leadership roles are shared across the setting and staff function together as a strong and efficient team. This helps to maintain the excellent standards of care and education for all children. Everyone involved with the setting has a voice that is valued. Children, parents and staff are encouraged to share their ideas about how the setting can further improve. This has led to some truly innovative practice, which has a positive impact on outcomes for children. Staff recognise the important role they play in promoting community values and children are extremely well supported to understand and celebrate diversity. The manager has identified that there is scope to further enhance children's understanding of the wider world. The arrangements for safeguarding are highly effective. Staff have an excellent knowledge of

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Teaching is outstanding across the whole setting. Staff plan precisely for children's individual needs and next steps in learning. They closely monitor achievement to meet any gaps in learning and ensure that children make the most rapid progress possible. Staff observe carefully and are highly intuitive. They plan flexibly and provide children with an excellent balance of support and challenge. Extremely creative practice engages children in problem solving at the highest level. They consider evidence and make decisions about how to care for the inhabitants of their rain forest garden. A treasure corner helps children see the wonder of everyday objects. Children are highly motivated learners and engage fully with the environment. Staff skilfully support children to become confident and effective communicators, who share their thoughts and ideas freely.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Promoting children's health and well-being is a central focus for everyone in the setting. Staff are acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that children feel happy and secure in order to be ready to learn. They gather detailed information from parents about children's individual personalities, interests and needs when they start in the setting. This helps staff provide a welcoming, enticing and familiar environment for children as they settle. Families are extremely well supported by staff who build trusting relationships with them and direct them to services. Parents feel valued and are keen to be involved in supporting their child's learning. Children behave exceptionally well. They follow rules and routines and demonstrate high levels of independence. Staff help children to develop compassion and consideration for their peers. Children move on from the setting with social skills, resilience and the ability to cope extremely well with the demands of school.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make outstanding progress from their starting points. Children with additional needs are fully supported by knowledgeable staff, who work in highly effective partnerships with parents and professionals.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 650008 Local authority Essex Inspection number 918296 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 143 Number of children on roll 232 Name of provider Willow Tree Day Nursery Ltd Date of previous inspection 7 December 2010 Telephone number 01255 221473

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Setting details

Willow Tree Nursery and Children's Centre is privately run by Willow Tree Day Nursery Limited and was registered in 1988. The setting employs 56 childcare staff. Of these 28 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, there are 13 staff at level 2, three hold an early years degree, one has Early Years Professional status and one holds Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery opens from 7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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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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