Abacus Day Nursery

Abacus Day Nursery Silverstone Crescent, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 6XP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 February 2016 3 February 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 registered person works closely with the managers and staff to make sure all are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities. Staff attend training, are well qualified and demonstrate high levels of expert knowledge and practice. This, along with high expectations for all children, enhances children's development across all areas of their learning.  The registered person includes all parties in the comprehensive self-evaluation processes of the provision. The views of staff, parents and children are fully included. As a result of this, and consistent reflection on practice, areas for further improvement are identified and targeted to greatly benefit all children on roll.  Partnerships with parents are exemplary. Staff identify children's previous learning through concise discussions with parents. This, and initial baseline assessments, makes sure that children's starting points are clear from the start. Regular exchange of

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This provision is outstanding

information means that parents are empowered to continue their child's learning at home.  Managers and staff develop excellent relationships with other professionals, providers and schools. Consequently, continuous exchange of information between all parties, including parents, fosters high levels of consistency in children's care and learning.  The registered person works closely alongside senior staff to monitor all aspects of the educational programmes for children. Staff meetings are used to make sure that everyone is working together to consistently identify and meet children's needs.  Staff are exceptionally caring and warm with children and interact positively with them throughout the day. This actively contributes to children forming strong emotional attachments. This also supports their ability to develop excellent friendships with other children.

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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 focus professional development on raising staff qualifications and teaching skills as far as possible and maintaining children's already excellent outcomes.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the registered person and the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a selection of the staff during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to parents and children to take account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The management and staff have a robust knowledge of what to do and who to talk to should they have any concerns about a child in their care. Assessing potential risks to children in all indoor and outdoor areas is given the highest priority. The registered person implements regular coaching sessions, which include observing staff practice. This gives time for staff to talk in confidence to their managers about any concerns. The registered person has identified the potential to further develop the already excellent knowledge of the staff by extending the programme for their personal development. He recognises the opportunity to enhance their already first-rate teaching practice and thereby contribute highly to children's continued, rapid progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff take children on walks to visit the horses in the local fields and feed bread to the ducks. Here, children spot some frog spawn and plan their return visit to observe changes and look out for frogs. Older children enjoy drawing pictures and writing to their family, posting their letters back home from the nearby postbox. In the forest areas, children explore and investigate, becoming excited as they use their imagination when going on a bear hunt. Older children mix water and porridge for their teddy bears. Staff use a range of questioning techniques to encourage children's excellent communication, language and problem-solving skills. During outdoor play, toddlers enjoy chasing round with the older children. They stop to look at the daffodils they have planted and cared for. Children take manageable risks when using garden equipment. Babies are highly interested and very well supported by their staff. They learn about the world and use their imagination as they

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

look on in awe and reach out to pop bubbles floating around them. Staff use excellent teaching strategies to highly motivate children in all areas of their learning. They regularly observe children as they play and make sure the identified next steps in their learning are clear and concise.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children learn about the importance and benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They spend time in the fresh air every day and talk with staff about growing strong from eating their healthy foods. Children demonstrate excellent behaviour through self-regulation. This is fostered exceptionally well through meaningful praise by staff throughout the day.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children develop an excellent understanding about the importance of being polite with others and in demonstrating good manners. They are developing strong family values and thrive on being independent and in sharing and taking turns with their friends. All children, including those in receipt of funding for early education, make rapid progress across all areas of their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY262973 Local authority Stoke on Trent Inspection number 848449 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 73 Name of provider David Tully Date of previous inspection 3 February 2010 Telephone number 01782 822 800

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Setting details

Abacus Day Nursery was registered in 2003. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds Early Years Professional status and a recognised early years qualification at level 6 and 13 hold a qualification at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. 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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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