Otters Nursery Schools Ltd

Otters Nursery Schools Ltd Otters Nursery School, The Old Dairy, Farleigh Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2JS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 May 2016 Not applicable

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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 give the highest priority to the safety of the children and their care. They consistently implement a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and daily practices for safeguarding and protecting children's welfare.  Highly qualified and experienced senior staff lead an enthusiastic and effective teaching team. The quality of teaching and care is particularly good. Staff create a wealth of exciting learning opportunities for children as they play and experiment imaginatively indoors and outdoors.  Children behave very well for their ages. They share experiences and learn to cooperate as they plan, negotiate and carry through ideas inspired by walks in the countryside; such as constructing an enormous cardboard castle.  High levels of expertise across the staff in supporting children who have special educational needs ensure that all children make good or better progress in their learning from their unique starting points.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Arrangements for sharing information with schools are not fully developed to ensure continuity and consistency in children's learning and care.  Strategies to encourage parents to contribute to their children's ongoing learning and development are not yet fully effective.

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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 arrangements for sharing information and working in partnership with local schools so that new staff know children's current achievements and how best to support their moves to school  continue to develop ways to engage and strengthen partnerships with all parents to ensure high levels of continuity in children's care and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a wide range of activities and care routines across the indoor and outdoor play areas. She talked with staff and children about what they were doing.  The inspector reviewed documents relating to safeguarding, staff recruitment and self- evaluation, and checked a selection of other policies.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records and progress checks. She reviewed how the nursery's planning linked with children's next steps in learning and outcomes.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and letters from parents. She reviewed how information is shared with parents and sampled responses in parent questionnaires.  The inspector observed various group activities and discussed the effectiveness of teaching with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are vigilant at keeping children safe as they play at the nursery and on outings into the surrounding countryside. They carefully plan and fully risk assess activities to ensure children are safe from harm. The manager knows precisely how she aims to achieve the best outcomes for all children. She chooses capable staff and strengthens the quality of teaching further through regular targeted professional development. Accurate evaluations with senior staff and external advisors ensure that the manager continues to raise standards and identify challenging improvements across the nursery. For example, a current focus is developing woodland areas.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide a superb range of learning experiences tailored to meet children's individual needs and build on their interests. They give children plenty of time to experiment and to think creatively. For instance, children work out where different insects like to hide and they imagine they are different characters who are acting out stories with their friends. Perceptive, well-informed staff reflect on children's achievements and nurture them towards their next steps in learning. Staff assess and monitor children's level and rate of progress effectively to ensure good outcomes. Parents speak very positively about the information they receive from the nursery and their children's enthusiasm for learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where children of all ages quickly settle. Children show how secure they feel in the care of kind and responsive staff. Toddlers happily explore fascinating play areas. They find reassurance in staff as they try new challenges and make new friends. Older children learn how to behave safely; for instance, as they climb over logs and splash through puddles in the countryside and as they learn about road safety. Staff skilfully support children's learning, health and physical development outdoors. For example, children enjoy a wealth of opportunities to sow and nurture plants, investigate wildlife and express their ideas using a wide range of materials and tools.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress across all areas of their learning and development. Staff prepare children well emotionally for their move to school. Older children practise changing for sporting activities. They become increasingly independent in managing some of their own needs, such as using the bathroom and finding their own books. Children are good at listening to each other's opinions and taking turns to contribute their ideas to group discussions. They know how to behave kindly to each other and ask for adult help when they cannot think of a way forward.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474524 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 985236 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 52 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Otters Nursery Schools Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01256 336880

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reference number

Otters Nursery School registered in 2014. It is a privately owned nursery situated on the outskirts of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm all year round. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. Nine of the 10 staff are qualified at level 3 or above, and four hold appropriate degrees.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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