Strong Tower Nursery

Strong Tower Nursery Methodist Church, Mount Pleasant Road, LUTON, LU3 2RR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 June 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

 Children's communication and language development are given high priority. All staff use effective teaching methods, such as clear speech and sign language. Considering their starting points, all children make very good progress. This include a high proportion of children who speak English as an additional language.  Staff respect children's views and opinions. They use discussions and a voting system to gain children's opinions on activities and resources. Children are learning to respect the decisions that the majority of children make.  The manager regularly evaluates the learning experiences and tracks all children's ongoing progress. This helps to identify and close any gaps in children's learning. For example, staff recently identified a gap in children's mathematical development. They addressed this promptly through planning to effectively promote children's next steps in learning.  Children enjoy listening to and joining in with stories. They demonstrate their

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This provision is good

knowledge of books as they know the writer is called an author and the pictures are drawn by an illustrator.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children who speak English as an additional language are very effectively supported to settle and feel secure in the nursery. However, staff do not always provide a wide range of opportunities for children to learn about the wide diversity of children's backgrounds and experiences.  At times, some staff do not give the younger children time to become engaged in exploring a range of different materials and textures during creative play.

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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

 provide further opportunities for children to learn about and value the diversity of each others' backgrounds and experiences  allow the youngest children to have more uninterrupted opportunities and time to explore and experiment with a range of materials.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning, both inside and outdoors.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation and held a meeting with the nursery manager.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documents. A range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy, were also seen.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the staff working with children.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and motivated staff team work together well. Staff talk about how the manager mentors and empowers them to continually improve their practice. Training is given high priority and staff regularly share and implement their new knowledge and skills. For example, following behaviour management training, staff demonstrate how they manage children's behaviour through relevant and positive praise. They help children develop their own ways to talk about how they are feeling when disagreements happen. Parents' views are actively sought and help to inform the nursery's good self-evaluation and ongoing action plans. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures and know how to report concerns to the relevant agencies. Thorough vetting procedures are in place to ensure that newly appointed staff are suitable to care for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use group times well to teach children mathematics and literacy. Children show a good understanding of numbers as they compare how many girls and boys there are and talk about more and less. They show their developing knowledge of letter names and sounds and relate these to their own names. Staff routinely observe and assess children's learning. Parents are actively involved in this process. Each child's key person shares their individual children's weekly plans with parents. Parents add comments and know how to support their children's learning at home. Furthermore, staff encourage parents to take home activities at the weekend to further complement their learning at nursery.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are highly confident. They enjoy leading the group activity by pretending to be the teacher and singing to their friends. Children show a deep respect for each other and for the staff. They have fun together and laugh happily. Staff consistently encourage children to be independent. For example, children persevere using tongs to pick up fruit and vegetables for their snack and pour drinks for themselves. Staff help children to develop healthy lifestyles. They talk about the importance of relaxation and the benefits of deep breathing. Children understand this puts more oxygen into their bodies. Children have many occasions to play outside. They engage in a wealth of fun activities and enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. Parents speak very highly of the staff team. They feel their children receive consistent care from their key person. Parents are regularly informed of children's good progress.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning and development, considering their starting points. They are developing key skills to help them with their future learning. Staff use a wide variety of materials to help children develop early writing skills. Children use drinking straws to make marks in foam and enjoy making large chalk pictures outside. Children are highly independent in their choice of learning. Older children are developing good concentration skills as they become engrossed in activities. They are effectively developing the skills they need for their imminent move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474311 Local authority Luton Inspection number 1053998 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Strong Tower Basic School

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07950132777

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reference number

Strong Tower Nursery was registered in 2014. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 9am until 2.50pm, term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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