Early Learning Academy

Early Learning Academy West Cheshire College, Ellesmere Port Campus, Sutton Way, Whitby, ELLESMERE PORT, CH65 7BF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 March 2016 18 February 2013

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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

 Staff have made vast improvements to the outdoor space. All areas of learning are well catered for and children thoroughly enjoy exploring outside. This has a positive impact on children's all-round learning and well-being.  Managers organise external visitors to deliver weekly sports coaching and Spanish lessons for the children. This enhances the educational programme and broadens children's learning experiences.  Staff work effectively with parents and involve them in their children's learning in a variety of ways. For example, the lending library promotes home reading and the 'wow tree' encourages parents to share what their children can do at home. Parents speak highly about the nursery and the staff.  Staff have set up a children's committee, so that children have more say on issues that affect them. This means children are successfully involved in making decisions, for instance, about menus, activities and trips.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not fully involve parents in establishing what children already know and can do when they first join the setting.  Staff have not fully explored ways to effectively share information and work more closely with other settings children attend.

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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

 involve parents more fully in the initial assessment process to find out precisely what children already know and can do when they join the setting  strengthen the links with other settings children attend to fully promote a shared approach to meeting children's needs.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and provider. She looked at a range of documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Managers successfully lead, monitor and evaluate the quality of the nursery. They take into account advice from the local authority and feedback from parents to help drive improvements. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Managers and staff have a secure understanding of their responsibilities to protect children and keep them safe. A large proportion of staff are well qualified and a number of staff are training to gain or enhance their qualifications. Staff supervision sessions and observations of their practice help to maintain strong teaching and learning. Children's learning is closely monitored, including children who receive additional funding. This helps to ensure any gaps in children's learning are quickly identified and addressed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Playrooms are bright, stimulating and well organised. Additional space is available for older children to work in smaller groups, away from other distractions. This supports their listening and concentration skills. Children benefit from effective teaching. Consequently, children are continually busy and show good levels of engagement in their play. They explore indoor and outside areas with confidence. Staff consistently observe and assess children's ongoing development. They know what progress children are making and how they can support their next steps in learning. Babies show curiosity as they explore paint, and staff provide commentary to help them make sense of their experiences. Toddlers have a range of opportunities to make marks, listen to stories and join in with music and dancing. Pre-school children enjoy planting seeds and learning about how they grow. The nursery has a variety of pets, including fish, African snails and a hamster. This helps

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children to learn about caring for living things.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a welcoming, caring and supportive atmosphere for children. Relationships between staff and children are strong. This is echoed by parents who report that children constantly talk about the staff and love being at the nursery. Staff consistently follow good hygiene standards to help reduce the risk of infection. They support older children to brush their teeth, which promotes children's understanding of oral hygiene and encourages them to adopt healthy habits. Children benefit from eating nutritious, healthy and freshly prepared meals. Older children have good opportunities to serve themselves at lunchtime, which helps them to become confident and independent. All children benefit from having direct access to their own outdoor play space, where they enjoy a wide choice of stimulating experiences. Staff model and reinforce good behaviour. They teach children the rules of friendship, such as listening, sharing and saying kind things.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children have fun and enjoy their play and learning. They make good progress from their starting points and have good opportunities to develop their independence. Children behave well and show genuine care and concern for their friends, for example, if they see them upset. Children are well supported to gain the skills they need to be enthusiastic and successful learners.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY444576 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1027999 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 0 - 5 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 87 Name of provider Helen Cartwright Date of previous inspection 18 February 2013 Telephone number 01244 656 480

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Setting details

Early Learning Academy was registered in 2012. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am 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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