The Learning Community Nursery (Midsomer Norton)

The Learning Community Nursery (Midsomer Norton) Midsomer Norton Childrens Centre, Pows Orchard, Radstock, BA3 2HY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 September 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The very strong management team has an excellent understanding of the strengths of the setting. Managers use many highly effective systems to evaluate their practice and continue to find even better ways of improving their already outstanding practice.  Staff provide an impressive nurturing environment in which children thrive. They have very high expectations of what the children can achieve. Staff skilfully help children to be as independent as possible, providing just the right amount of support.  Staff use their meticulous observations to plan challenging experiences to build on the capabilities of each child. Children make rapid progress from their starting points.  Staff work exceptionally well with parents. For example, home visits start the process of getting to know children's and families' individual needs. Staff highly value the sharing of information to support learning at home and to be extremely consistent in children's

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This provision is outstanding

care.  Staff meet children's physical and emotional needs incredibly well. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Children declare that they are excited to be at the nursery, and even children new to the setting thoroughly enjoy their learning.  The manager provides an excellent example for staff. Together with the children's centre teacher she ensures that the quality of teaching is consistently high by driving the staff's professional training and expertise to ensure high outcomes for children.

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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

 extend children's mathematical understanding even further where possible.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors.  The inspector spoke with staff and parents and took account of the nursery's self- evaluation and the parents' questionnaire.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager, the children's centre teacher and a children's centre coordinator. A joint observation was conducted with the manager.  The inspector checked safeguarding information and the safety of the premises.  The inspector looked at some documentation, including policies and procedures, children's developmental records and planning.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The manager has meticulous systems to monitor different groups of children and raise their attainment. For example, she has recognised the possibility of developing children's mathematical development further. There are extremely strong partnerships with outside agencies and other professionals. When applicable, staff forge links before children start at the nursery to know how best to personalise plans for their care and learning needs. Safeguarding is effective. Staff implement extensive policies and procedures to protect children's welfare. They keep up to date with local safeguarding guidance and have a precise knowledge of what to do should a child be at risk of harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff recognise the uniqueness of each child and help them to experiment and explore using their interests to come to a better understanding. For example, young children see that the wheels of a train stop moving in sand and find out how to make them work again. Staff extend their learning further, for example, by using rich and varied vocabulary. Children remain fascinated and engrossed. They gain an excellent sense of satisfaction as staff expertly encourage them to think about their learning and find different ways to make something work. They help children to predict and test their ideas, using trial and error. For example, children discovered that if they pack compost down harder into a container it stays together when they turn it out. Children enjoy number rhymes, reading favourite books and talking together about what interests them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The excellent key-person system supports children extremely well in settling into the nursery. Children and their families form very strong bonds with the staff and feel secure. For example, children soon feel confident to go and play on their own. Staff have an excellent understanding of the impact that children's well-being has on their development and learning. Staff organise the environment exceptionally well, for example, to enable children to make choices and lead their play. As they grow in confidence, children make their own decisions and gain high self-esteem. Children develop an excellent awareness that some choices are safer and healthier than others. For example, they talk about milk helping to develop their muscles and know to use knives safely to cut their fruit.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make outstanding progress at the nursery, preparing them exceptionally well for their next stage of learning. They persevere with new skills, determined to master them. For example, young children try to place the top on a meat baster and return later to try again. Children are inquisitive and they eagerly explore different resources. Older children recognise letters and develop their early writing skills successfully.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488242 Local authority Bath & NE Somerset Inspection number 1010366 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 10 Name of registered person Bath and North East Somerset Council

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01225 396858

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reference number

The Learning Community Nursery (Midsomer Norton) registered in 2015. It is run by the local authority. It is situated in Midsomer Norton, Bath and North East Somerset. The nursery provides a service from Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 1pm, for 47 weeks of the year. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two and three years. There are four members of staff. Of these, two hold an early years qualification at level 6 and one holds a qualification at level 3. One member of staff is working towards a qualification at level 4. Staff work with the children's centre staff.

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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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