First Chapter Day Nursery

1st Class Nursery Toll Bar Cottage, High Lane, Burscough, ORMSKIRK, Lancashire, L40 7SN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 July 2016 12 February 2016

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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

 The manager has fully reviewed and improved the recruitment and vetting procedures since the last inspection. Clear records are now maintained and easily accessible to demonstrate the rigorous checks obtained for all staff to help assess their suitability.  The manager and staff team have worked hard to achieve consistently good learning outcomes for children. They are enthusiastic, motivated and are good role models for children.  Children are well cared for. Staff know children well and are attentive to their individual needs. Children are active, confident and are developing good physical skills. They competently climb hills, ride bikes or use the interesting and challenging play equipment in the large garden.  Children form secure attachments in the nursery. Arrangements for children's moves in, to and from the nursery are particularly well planned.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although managers and staff offer opportunities for parents to share what they know about their child, they are not highly effective in engaging all parents to share information about their child's achievements and experiences at home.  Although the manager has a suitable programme of performance management and professional development, opportunities for all staff to be observed working with children and to receive feedback are not used consistently to help staff build on their skills and knowledge.

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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 ways to engage parents in sharing information about their child's experiences and achievements at home and gain a broader picture of children's development  enhance arrangements to monitor staff performance that include observing all staff and giving feedback about how to extend their skills and knowledge.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching in the nursery during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector held meetings with the manager and had discussions with staff.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications, including first aid, of staff working with children and reviewed the provider's self-evaluation documentation.  The inspector took account of the views of children and parents spoken to on the day and in feedback provided to the nursery.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robust. Overall, a programme of staff support helps to identify their training needs and assess their continued suitability. Staff have a secure understanding of how to protect children and demonstrate a good knowledge of safeguarding policies. Monitoring of individual and groups of children's progress is now more closely implemented and analysed by staff and managers. The information gained is used well to share relevant information with parents, other providers and professionals. The manager shares her vision for quality well in regular meetings with staff. Secure evaluation procedures include the views of staff and parents. Improvement plans are sustained and ambitious.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use a wide range of good teaching techniques. They plan interesting activities, both inside and outside, that capture children's imagination. Children develop coordination and learn about the properties of water and soil as they mix them together. They demonstrate good problem-solving skills and design and make elaborate constructions with wooden blocks. Staff ask suitably challenging questions to help develop children's thinking and communication skills. For example, children demonstrate good levels of concentration as they search for bugs and use a vast array of play equipment. Older children confidently use clipboards and pens to tick off different species they find, such as woodlice. Younger children demonstrate resilience as they search different places to find more insects. Staff skilfully observe children and choose carefully when to join in or leave them to develop their own ideas.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The very well-planned outdoor play area motivates children to be active. Very good relationships with staff help to develop children's confidence and willingness to try new things. Staff skilfully encourage children to take risks in a safe way. They watch as some children confidently climb onto tyres, raising their arms in the air as they jump off. With other less-confident children they offer a steadying hand or reassuring words. Children are highly motivated and have good opportunities to develop their self-care skills. Daily routines are well organised and relaxed. Children have time to practise dressing appropriately before going outside. They naturally follow good hygiene routines when they return, helping each other to use the soap. Children behave well. Staff praise their efforts and help them to share responsibility at mealtimes. Children relish the responsibility of helping to set the dinner tables and serve the freshly cooked nutritious food.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They are developing good attitudes to exercise and fresh air. They happily run, jump, kick balls, balance on and negotiate stepping stones. They are confident communicators. They are happy to describe the different insects or animals they have seen. They demonstrate imagination, resilience and curiosity as they seek out new challenges. Children are developing a love of playing and learning and are well equipped and prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY272250 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1040516 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person 1st Class Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 February 2016 Telephone number 01704 893 279

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reference number

1st Class Nursery was registered in 2004. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm.

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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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