Saplings (Childrens) Day Nursery Ltd

Saplings (Childrens) Day Nursery Ltd Cadland Childrens Centre, Whitefield Road, Holbury, Southampton, SO45 2HW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 December 2015 12 December 2011

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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

 Management and staff work well together as a team. They are enthusiastic and keen to update their skills. Many of the staff are completing additional training to degree level to help them develop their skills even further and improve outcomes for children.  The environment is welcoming and provides children with a broad range of quality learning opportunities. Children are confident to move between the different play areas and to request additional equipment or activities, such as water play. Staff respond positively, enabling children to develop their interests immediately.  Management and staff implement good methods to monitor and evaluate the provision, which includes meeting with other early years settings to share good practice and to compare how they assess children's progress.  Children behave well. They show consideration to others, share and cooperate well. For example, children help each other to put their coats on unprompted.

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This provision is good

 Children make good progress in their learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff build strong relationships with parents. However, they do not always gather detailed information when children first attend to enable them to always plan effectively from the outset.  In general, staff use effective teaching methods. However, occasionally in the baby room, staff do not always challenge children consistently to fully extend their learning.

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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 information gathered from parents about their children's achievements at home when they first start, to enable staff to plan more effectively from the outset  support staff further to maintain a consistent approach to children's learning, with particular regard to the baby room.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children and the quality of teaching in the playrooms and in the garden areas.  The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents on the day of the inspection to gain their views.  The inspector looked at children's learning, planning documents and how parents are involved in this process.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with the children, and the provider's procedures for evaluating their practice.  The inspector completed two joint observations and held meetings with management.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Strong management implements effective procedures for monitoring and evaluating the provision, including children's progress in their learning and development. This enables them to narrow the gap between different groups of children. There is a clear recruitment and vetting procedure, as well as regular support, to help staff to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. Safeguarding is effective. Management and staff are clear on the procedures they would follow in the event of a concern. They attend training and use their knowledge to support good practice, such as to make the most of an activity to support children at different levels of learning. Management and staff build good relationships with parents and encourage them to share their views, which are valued. For example, parents receive a more detailed account of their child's time in the pre-school room following a request for more information. Parents report that they feel communication is very good.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use various methods to support children's learning. For example, they work with small groups of children targeting their next steps. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring different musical instruments and follow instructions well as they listen to the sounds before guessing which instrument has created them. Staff clearly know their key children well and plan and provide a broad range of activities to support their next steps. Management and staff continually seek to improve. They are currently changing their observation and assessment process to enable parents to be more fully involved and share their children's achievements at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are well behaved and confident to talk about the rules with visiting adults. They explain that they use 'walking feet' when indoors. Staff are positive role models and support the children particularly well with their emotional development. Children are confident and independent learners who are keen to make choices in their play. For example, children choose to make models using dough and quickly engage with others who join the activity. Children learn about the wider world through a variety of activities, such as exploring Chinese New Year, talking about dragons and trying different foods. Staff promote children's health and safety well. They teach children to follow good hygiene routines and use the equipment safely.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress. Staff promote their communication and language well and constantly promote children's independence. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning and the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY432713 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 822822 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 54 Name of provider Saplings (Childrens Day) Nursery Ltd Date of previous inspection 12 December 2011 Telephone number 0238 0892351

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Setting details

Saplings (Children's) Day Nursery registered in 2004 and is run by a voluntary committee. It operates from Cadland Children's Centre in the Holbury area of Southampton, Hampshire. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs 17 staff, all of whom are qualified in early years. The manager holds Early Years Professional Status, one member of staff is qualified to level 5, three members of staff to level 4, 11 members of staff to level 3 and one member of staff to level 2.

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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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