Alphabet Corner

Alphabet Corner 309 London Road, Portsmouth, PO2 9HQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 March 2016 5 May 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Since the last inspection the leadership team has worked tirelessly to make significant improvements. These have had a very positive impact on the quality of provision. All legal requirements are now met and practice is good overall.  Staff are very attentive towards the children and they have a good understanding of each child's personal needs. As a result, children benefit from warm relationships and this helps them to settle quickly and to feel emotionally secure.  Staff develop strong partnerships with parents and closely involve them in their children's learning.  The quality of teaching is good and staff provide children with interesting and stimulating learning opportunities.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management team is monitoring the progress of some groups of children, but not all. For example, they have not yet made sure that children who are in receipt of funding achieve as well as those who are not and that any gaps in children’s learning are closing at a fast rate.  Systems to enable staff to reflect on their practice and deliver outstanding teaching are not yet fully in place.

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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 use of information about how children learn to clearly identify how any gaps are closing and that all groups of children are achieving as well as each other  develop systems for staff to reflect on their practice and make all teaching outstanding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and support for children's learning, both inside and outside.  A joint observation was carried out with the one of the nursery owners who is also the daily manager.  The inspector talked to parents and carers who were available on the day of inspection and took account of their feedback.  The inspector talked to staff about how they plan for children's individual learning needs and monitor the progress children make.  The inspector talked to staff and assessed how well they keep children safe.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The nursery is led by a strong and dedicated management team. Senior staff work closely with outside agencies to support families. Safer recruitment procedures and suitability checks are carried out appropriately. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Training and development opportunities for staff are having a positive impact on improving the quality of teaching. For example, recent training on behaviour management has helped to ensure that children benefit from a consistent approach. As a result, children are more aware of staff’s expectations and behave well. Staff maintain detailed information about the progress children make and meet with parents regularly to identify next steps in learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Overall, the quality of teaching is good and some is outstanding. Good quality teaching takes place outside. Staff make good use of opportunities to promote and extend children's learning. For example, they patiently encourage children to use the pedals on a bike and praise children when they successfully achieve this. Children are able to make good choices throughout the daily routine. This enables even the youngest children to develop confidence and independence, preparing them well for transition to the pre-school room. Staff carefully plan activities they know children will enjoy and challenge them well. For example, children enjoy learning about floating and sinking with everyday objects. Staff successfully help parents to understand how they can support their child’s learning and use funding to buy resources for parents to use at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children behave well as staff provide clear guidance of what is expected. Each child and family is valued as an individual, and as a result, children feel secure. Any patterns of non- attendance are closely followed up; this means any safeguarding concerns are addressed promptly to protect children’s welfare. Good attention is paid towards helping children understand how to take good care of their own needs. For example, snack arrangements allow the children to decide when they have a snack and to make healthy choices independently.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who need extra support, catch up quickly and make at least typical progress for their age. Children make good progress in their speaking and listening skills. For example the well-designed inside ‘secret garden’ is thoughtfully presented and encourages children to be imaginative, develop their language skills and participate in small group work. Children benefit from a carefully planned well-resourced environment and enjoy looking out of the low level bay windows where they discuss the outside world with their friends and staff. These provide an ever-changing talking point and children delight in discussing what they can see and what is happening. This helps to extend their language and communication skills well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY386386 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 1037527 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 131 Name of provider Anderson & Brett Ltd Date of previous inspection 5 May 2015 Telephone number 02392 792150

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Setting details

Alphabet Corner nursery was registered under the present owners in 2008. It is one of two privately owned nurseries which operate from two properties in the North End area of Portsmouth. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year, closing for one week over the Christmas period and all Bank Holidays. The nursery offers early education funding 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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