The Old School Nursery

The Old School Nursery West Street, Shapwick, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 9LB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 August 2016 29 October 2012

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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 enjoy a safe and welcoming environment where they build warm and trusting relationships with staff and one another. Staff manage children's move on to their next stage of learning well. Children settle quickly when changing rooms in the nursery.  Staff provide a broad range of activities, which they plan according to children's interests and learning priorities.  Children make good progress. Management and staff monitor children's development effectively, which helps them to identify and address gaps in their learning quickly.  Management's self-evaluation includes the views of staff, parents and children to help improve the outcomes for children. For example, management has plans to extend children's learning in the natural outdoor environment.  Staff establish excellent partnerships with parents, which helps them to meet individual needs well. Parents say that it feels like their children are part of 'one big family'. They

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This provision is good

appreciate the frequent sharing of information about their children's activities and progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently help children learn accurate words when talking with them to further support their language skills.  Management is not always effective in identifying where teaching practice could be developed further.

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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

 make the most of opportunities for staff to consistently model the correct version of words during children's activities to develop their language further  strengthen methods for monitoring and developing teaching practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities, inside and outside, covering all age groups.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager, and interviewed the manager and provider.  The inspector looked at a sample of documents, which included self-evaluation, the safeguarding policy and children's progress records.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took account of parents' views, obtained in person and from emails they had written.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Management and staff have a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. They keep their knowledge up to date through regular training. There are clear recruitment procedures to check staff suitability to work with children. Staff work well as a team to meet children's individual needs. Since the last inspection, they monitor the temperature more effectively to ensure it is comfortable for babies and provide more opportunities for children to develop their creativity in the role play area. Management encourages staff to extend their knowledge. For example, by attending training they are more confident with supporting children's understanding of people's differences. Several members of staff have developed their professional role and gained further early years qualifications.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding of the different ways that children learn through play and exploration. They provide a wide range of play equipment that children can easily access independently and extend their own play and learning. For example, children design and build constructions in the outside area, use various pieces of wood, and experiment by balancing, sliding and rolling. Younger children enjoy using their senses to explore materials such as foam, glue and sparkly decorations. All children like to hear and join in with familiar songs, benefiting from sessions provided by a music teacher.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled. Staff find out detailed information from parents, which helps them to make children feel secure. Children develop a strong sense of belonging. For example, they see many photographs of themselves displayed and know that they are valued. Staff praise children regularly, helping to develop their self-esteem and confidence. Staff encourage healthy lifestyles well. They supply freshly cooked meals that support healthy eating and meet individual dietary requirements. Children learn good table manners and practical skills, for example, as they serve their own food and drinks.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. They learn skills that help them prepare well for the next stage in their learning and starting school. Children are confident in making choices and communicating their needs. They relate well to other people and learn to consider others. Children start to recognise familiar words, such as their name. They practise their writing skills in various situations. Children show an interest in numbers through meaningful activities; for example, by noting positions in a running race or how much an ice cream costs. Children develop increasing independence in caring for themselves, such as managing their own clothes and using the toilet without help.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445921 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 1059316 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 59 Number of children on roll 95 Name of registered person The Old School Nursery (Shapwick) Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 October 2012 Telephone number 01258857922

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reference number

The Old School Nursery (Shapwick) Ltd opened in 2002 and re-registered in 2012. It is privately owned and operates in Shapwick, between Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster, Dorset. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 6pm, all year round, except for one week at Christmas and public holidays. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 18 staff who work directly with the children. The manager is qualified at level 4. She is supported by a team of staff that includes an early years teacher. Most of the other staff hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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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