The Village Nursery In Little Stukeley

The Village Nursery In Little Stukeley The Exchange, Ermine Street, Huntingdon, PE28 4BG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 May 2016 Not applicable

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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 provider has not ensured that staffing arrangements meet the qualification requirements. Additionally, there is no one who is capable and suitably qualified to act as deputy in the absence of the manager.  The provider has not established a programme of professional development that helps to ensure practitioners have the skills and knowledge they need to improve their teaching practice.  The quality of teaching is variable. Practitioners do not always take into account children's individual learning needs and interests when planning activities. Some activities are not interesting enough, which affects children's motivation to concentrate and learn.  While the outdoor environment is well resourced, children who prefer to learn outdoors do not have frequent opportunities to do so.

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It has the following strengths

 Practitioners provide children with a warm and nurturing environment. They are kind to the children and effectively support their emotional well-being.  The relationships with parents are good. Parents indicate they trust the practitioners and believe they have a genuine interest in their children's welfare.  Children benefit from being able to play with plentiful, good quality toys and equipment. These are well organised, enabling children to develop their independence and make choices in their play.

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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

 maintain qualification requirements at all times by ensuring that at least half of staff working with the manager hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification and that there is a named deputy who is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager's absence 24/06/2016

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Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching so that staff consistently consider each child's needs, abilities and interests in their planning and deliver challenging experiences which promote children's enjoyment and rapid progress. 24/06/2016

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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

 broaden supervision processes to accurately evaluate practitioners' teaching practice and target professional development opportunities in order to raise the quality of children's learning experiences  improve the planning of activities to take account of children's individual interests so that children receive consistently good quality and challenging learning opportunities  make the most of all opportunities for children to learn and play outside, to support those children who learn better outdoors.

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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 practitioners 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 practitioners' suitability and training, some policies and procedures and children's records.  A discussion was held with one parent and the views of some other parents were taken into account through written comments.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The staff qualification requirements are not met. The provider has employed two practitioners, of which only one is appropriately qualified. This also means there is no one suitable to act as deputy or take charge in the manager's absence. Although the provider has implemented supervision meetings with practitioners these do not accurately focus on raising the quality of teaching practice. Practitioners have completed some mandatory training, but there is less focus on professional development that improves teaching skills. The provider has implemented a comprehensive range of policies and procedures that keeps parents well informed about the provision. Parents comment that their children grow in confidence and that the practitioners have a genuine interest in their children's well-being.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Although the manager is highly qualified, she lacks practical experience of management in an early years setting. The quality of teaching is variable and activities are not carefully planned to meet children's individual learning needs. Some activities are not challenging enough and children lose interest. That being said, practitioners are responsive to children. They sit on the floor alongside them, talk to them and join in with their play. The small number of children in the nursery means that they all get individual attention. Practitioners effectively support children's developing language skills, engaging them in conversations, introducing new words and singing songs with them. The provider monitors children's progress to highlight any areas where there is a risk of delay.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children settle quickly and have good emotional attachments to practitioners. In spite of some activities lacking interest, children behave well. They enjoy the attention of practitioners, who praise them for their achievements. Meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious. Children's individual dietary needs are carefully adhered so that they eat safe and suitable food. Young children's health is promoted well. For example, the provider implements clear policies regarding illness and cleanliness. Practitioners do not always make the most of children's learning opportunities outdoors. For instance, during the inspection it was raining, so the children were kept inside. Practitioners did not adjust the nursery routines so children could take advantage of intermittent dry spells. This means that children who prefer to learn outdoors do not always get the opportunity to do so.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Overall, children make suitable progress in their development. They are adequately prepared for the next stage of their learning and then school. However, they are not motivated to make the best progress possible. Children learn to be independent as they feed themselves and help themselves to a drink of milk. They carry out simple tasks, such as sweeping up spilled sand. Children are confident to seek help from practitioners and build positive relationships with one another.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482639 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 997237 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 - 8 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 7 Name of registered person Sarah El-Neil

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01480 455688

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reference number

The Village Nursery In Little Stukeley was registered in November 2014 and is privately owned. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. There are two members of staff including the manager employed to work with the children. The manager has a BA (Honours) in Early Years Education. The nursery offers funded early education places for eligible two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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

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