Apple Tree Day Nursery

Apple Tree Day Nursery Soho Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 4DX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 August 2016 8 February 2016

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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 quality of teaching is inconsistent. Some staff have not received the mentoring, support and coaching they need to improve their knowledge and keep skills up to date.  A lack of secure knowledge among some staff means they cannot use what they know about individual children's achievements to plan the most appropriate activities to challenge them.  Strategies to engage all parents in their children's learning and development at nursery and at home are not always successful.  The systems the manager has put in place to analyse all information about individual or groups of children's progress are not yet effective.

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It has the following strengths

 The recently promoted manager has a strong vision for the future and an overall understanding of what the nursery needs to do to improve.  Staff implement an effective key-person system. They are attentive and offer reassurance to help children settle, promoting their emotional well-being effectively.  The nursery is well resourced. Children play with a good range of interesting and stimulating resources that supports their play.  Children have daily opportunities for exercise and fresh air which help to promote their physical well-being. The staff provide good support for children to understand about healthy lifestyles and simple care practices.  A particular strength of the nursery is the care offered to babies. Staff are attentive and help babies to develop good personal, social and emotional skills.

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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

 build on methods of monitoring staff's performance and help them to identify and address weaknesses in their practice to improve the quality of teaching 08/01/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that all staff have a secure knowledge of how to plan activities that are challenging and focus more accurately on individual children's needs and interests. 08/01/2017

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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

 develop more successful strategies that engage all parents in their children's learning at nursery and at home  develop further the systems for analysing information about children's progress to help identify any individuals or groups of children who are not making at least expected progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outside learning environment.  The inspector held meetings with the management team and spoke to staff and children when appropriate during the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector sampled children's progress records, planning and a range of documentation, including the safeguarding policy and accident records.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children, the provider's self-evaluation form and improvement plan.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Staff supervision is in the early stages and they are not fully supported to identify weaknesses in their teaching practice and to build on their knowledge. The newly promoted manager has made progress with the actions from the last inspection. She has put in place stringent arrangements to ensure the security of the premises, and risk assessments are implemented well. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Policies have been extensively updated. The management team and staff have attended further training and ensure that safeguarding is frequently on the agenda at staff meetings. This enables staff to be secure in their knowledge. Effective recruitment procedures are in place. Suitability checks are used to see if staff are appropriate to work with children. Overall, the manager has devised detailed action plans to support self- evaluation. Relationships with other settings and professionals are developed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff do not have an in-depth knowledge of how to consistently support children to learn and make good progress. Although staff make regular detailed observations of children's play, some do not use these to plan appropriate activities to extend and challenge individual children's learning. Staff play alongside children and talk about what they are doing. They repeat children's key phrases and ask questions, for example, as children recall past family events. Children adequately learn some mathematical skills, such as shapes, numbers and colours. Provision in the baby room is more effective. Staff know the children well and understand how babies learn. Staff support language and communication skills well. They model speech and repeat sounds to the babies. Children throughout the nursery enjoy a range of sensory and creative activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Although staff share some information with parents verbally about children's care, strategies to engage all parents in their children's learning at nursery and at home are not effective. The nursery is warm and welcoming. The staff are friendly and children have positive relationships with their key person and each other. Effective settling-in procedures are in place for children starting and moving rooms throughout the nursery. All children receive lots of praise for their contributions to activities and completion of tasks, which boosts their self-esteem. Older children notice the changes that occur to their bodies when they engage in physical activities.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Overall, children enjoy their time at the nursery, although their progress is not always as rapid as possible. Systems put in place to analyse all information about individual or groups of children's progress are still being developed. Children are sociable and confident, supporting them to be prepared for future learning, including starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY297521 Local authority Calderdale Inspection number 1039957 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 - 11 Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Amanda Clare Aspin

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 February 2016 Telephone number 01422 320819

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reference number

Apple Tree Day Nursery was registered in 2004. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, seven hold level 3 and the provider holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, excluding the week between Christmas and New Year and on bank holidays. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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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