ACE Day Nursery

ACE Day Nursery 6A Priory Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8HT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 May 2016 30 March 2011

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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 partnerships with parents are exemplary. Parents are very well informed about their children's progress. Staff make the most of every opportunity to involve parents in their children's learning in the nursery and at home.  Children's independence is promoted exceedingly well. From the outset staff encourage and support children to do things for themselves. Children are enormously self-reliant and superbly prepared for the next stage of their learning.  The managers and staff are keenly enthusiastic and strive to improve. They constantly evaluate the provision, seek out fresh challenges and implement new ideas with confidence.  Staff are highly skilled in supporting children's self-chosen activities. They are alert to children's changing interests and support their ideas with insightful questions and comments.  Children frequently go out into their local community, where they develop an excellent

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This provision is outstanding

understanding of the diverse people and neighbourhoods around them.  Children benefit well from inspiring outdoor experiences. The small nursery garden is superbly equipped to provide children with enjoyable experiences. Children make frequent visits to local woods, where they learn to take risks and explore the wonders of nature.

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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 expand the already extensive methods that track the progress of different groups of children, in order to enhance the provision still further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a joint observation with 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 the children.  A range of documentation was looked at, including staff's suitability and training, the nursery's self-evaluation, some policies and procedures and children's records.  Discussions were held with a number of parents and their written comments were taken into account.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The stable and well-qualified staff are highly enthusiastic and share their leaders' vision. Managers use the views of staff, parents and children to evaluate the quality of the provision exceptionally well. New ideas that extend children's experiences are wholeheartedly embraced. For example, staff have recently started woodland expeditions to enhance children's physical health and to teach them more about nature. Staff observe and assess each other's teaching skills to understand and appreciate their differing skills. This has helped them to develop remarkable consistency in their teaching practice. Safeguarding is effective. The managers and staff have a secure understanding of child protection issues and procedures. Children help with the thorough checking of the premises to make sure all areas are completely safe.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The manager carefully monitors children's progress over time to swiftly identify and address any areas of delay. She is eager to embed tracking the progress of groups of children over time, to help to raise children's achievements still further. Staff are highly successful in motivating children to learn and skilfully follow their lead. A child's fascination with aeroplanes led to the building of a pretend airport, with aeroplanes, suitcases and holiday information. Children became thoroughly engrossed and spent happy times learning about travel, technology and the wider world. Staff expertly promote children's speaking skills. They engage them in conversation and comment positively on their activities. Even the youngest children show a deep interest in books and listen well. Staff are adept at holding their attention as, for example, they read about dinosaurs.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Parents are extremely pleased with the nursery, which has a wonderful, homely environment. They praise staff by saying they are professional in every way and they love and nurture their children. Very effective settling-in arrangements help children to quickly develop secure emotional links with staff. Home visits give children's key people an early insight into their interests and family lives. Children have amazing opportunities to learn about the community around them. They explore behind the scenes at a local supermarket, go to the library and meet with the residents of a care home. Staff treat children with great kindness and respect. They are excellent role models and help children learn to work together and develop their friendships. Behaviour is exceptional. Children's good health is positively supported by the home-cooked vegetarian meals that are appetising and nutritionally balanced.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make rapid progress from their starting points. They gain confidence as they take acceptable risks during their play. Children demonstrate an early aptitude with numbers and mathematical language. They sort objects by size, colour and shape and understand larger, or smaller. Resources, such as recipe cards, help young children to discover the value of writing. Children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY284088 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 861172 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 - 3 Total number of places 17 Number of children on roll 39 Name of provider A.C.E. Nursery School (Cambridge) Limited Date of previous inspection 30 March 2011 Telephone number 01223 366355

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Setting details

ACE Day Nursery opened in 2004 and is a committee led parents' cooperative. The nursery is open each weekday from 8.30am to 5.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 10 members of staff including the manager and the nursery cook. The manager holds early years professional status. With the exception of one student and the cook the staff hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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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