Bluebell Day Nursery

Bluebell Day Nursery Colville House, 72 Station Road, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 8NP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 April 2016 9 July 2015

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The quality of staff's teaching is still not consistently good. Staff have received training and support since the last inspection and some have improved their teaching skills, but at present there is little measurable impact on improving outcomes for children.  The planning of activities does not always take into account children's individual learning needs and some activities lack suitable challenge. In some instances, activities for groups of children are the same and do not meet the needs of all those taking part.  Leaders are not making best use of additional funding provided to support disadvantaged children.  The partnerships with other early years settings the children attend and their future schools are not well established to promote a collaborative approach to children's learning.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff have calm and positive relationships with children. Staff working with younger children are kind and attentive. They meet children's care needs well.  Most areas of the nursery have a broad range of well organised and age-appropriate resources. Older children are encouraged to make choices and develop their independence, both indoors and outdoors.  Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks that support their healthy growth. They enjoy being active in the fresh air on a daily basis.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 develop more effective ways to support staff to raise the quality of teaching so that they make the most of children's learning opportunities and promote their good progress 06/05/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that the planning of activities, including group activities, is responsive to the emerging needs and interests of all children. 06/05/2016

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 make better use of additional funding for disadvantaged children, to help those children to catch up with their peers  develop further the two-way partnerships with other early years settings the children attend and local schools, to promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider who is also the manager.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and spoke to staff about how they plan for children's progress.  The inspector looked at the premises and the resources available to children indoors and outdoors.  A range of documentation was looked at, including staff's suitability and training, some policies and procedures and children's records.  The inspector discussed the nursery's improvement plan with the provider and looked at reports from the local authority.  The views of parents were taken into account through written comments.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The provider has addressed some areas for improvement. Support and guidance for the staff team has been strengthened. The provider and staff are working steadily through an improvement plan in partnership with the local authority. However, teaching across the nursery is still not consistently good and not all children make good progress. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff receive training in child protection and there are thorough procedures for them to follow. Most staff hold suitable first-aid qualifications, which promotes children's safety. While there are effective two-way partnerships with parents, there are fewer links with other settings the children attend and the local schools.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff have appropriate qualifications and experience. However, the quality of teaching is variable and some activities lack challenge. Some staff interact with children well. For example, they take older children on a bug hunt round the garden and use probing questions to excite their interest. However, not all staff consider what individual children need to do in order to extend their learning. In some cases, they plan activities that are the same for all and are not responsive to the varying abilities and interests of children taking part. For example, staff have the same expectations of a group of younger children of varying ages using paint, paper and sponges. Additionally, staff do not always plan for the needs of children who are exceeding expectations. Nonetheless, children have an enjoyable time. They access well-organised resources independently and join in songs and stories that support their communication and language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Since the last inspection staff have reviewed the nursery routines to avoid unnecessary waiting. Children are encouraged to be independent as, for example, older children find their own coats and shoes for outdoor activities. This leaves staff free to help those younger and less-able children. Children benefit from tasty, nutritious meals, helping to promote their good health. They play outdoors for substantial periods of time and enjoy physical activity. Staff play active ball games with them and stimulate their interest in healthy sports. Children arrive at nursery happy and confident and settle well. Staff are kind to children and have calm and consistent strategies to promote children's good behaviour. Babies' and younger children's care needs are appropriately provided for. Staff work well with parents and keep them informed about daily routines. They know children well and provide them with the comfort they need to feel safe.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Managers are slow to make decisions about how to use the additional funding provided for some children. This means their progress is not supported as effectively as possible so that they can catch up with their peers. However, overall, children make steady progress and learn the key skills they need for school. They develop their independence in self- care. They learn about other communities through stories and creative activities. Staff teach them good manners and encourage them to be sociable.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY317359 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1022213 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 21 Number of children on roll 56 Name of provider Bluebell Nursery Partnership Date of previous inspection 9 July 2015 Telephone number 01354 658017

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Setting details

Bluebell Day Nursery was registered in 2005. The nursery has 10 members of childcare staff, including the owner/manager. The owner/manager holds a relevant qualification at level 4 and eight members of staff hold qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. Disabled children and those with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language attend the nursery.

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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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