The Learning Tree, Midhurst

The Learning Tree, Midhurst The Caring Daycare Centre, Masonic Hall, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9HH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 September 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

 The management team makes good use of support, such as from the local authority, to review staff practice and the impact of this on children's learning. This has helped identify and address staff's professional development needs.  Staff complete observations and carefully monitor children's development. This helps them plan challenging next steps in learning for children.  Children's behaviour is good, they respond well to staff with whom they have trusting relationships. Children are considerate; they share and include other children in their play.  All children make good or better progress from their starting points. Staff have high expectations for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to help children learning English as an additional language to develop their use and understanding of it further.  Staff do not make the best use of opportunities to involve all parents in their children's learning to help encourage a more consistent approach to supporting their progress.

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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

 help children learning English as an additional language to build on their use and understanding of it to extend their learning even further  extend ways for parents to be involved in their children's learning to help provide a more consistent approach to supporting their progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector visited all rooms and the garden, to see the staff teaching and children learning.  The inspector jointly observed a group activity with the manager and discussed how it supported children's learning.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and qualifications, and records relating to attendance, complaints and policies.  The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team organises the provision effectively, including ensuring the correct ratio of qualified staff care for children. It implements thorough procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. For example, it makes sure staff understand their responsibilities to report any information that may affect their suitability. Managers work closely with the staff and encourage them to develop their skills and knowledge. For example, through further training, much of which is relevant to the age of children with whom staff work. Safeguarding is effective. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare. For example, they receive regular training to keep updated with safeguarding practice. The management team ensures available information about safeguarding is current, such as reviewing and updating policies and procedures.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are enthusiastic teachers who know how to engage children. For example, they plan themed activities that incorporate all areas of learning, and use children's interests effectively, such as castles, to engage them in activities successfully. Staff encourage children's creativity, for instance they made shields, crowns and a cardboard-box castle. Children plotted routes around the garden that led them around obstacles between the 'castles'. Staff gently encourage babies to explore their surroundings and resources. For example, they blew bubbles to encourage babies to stretch and reach, and squirted paint onto paper sheets for them to feel and spread.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children spend time being active each day to help support their good health. For instance, babies have 'tummy time', crawl or walk around furniture. Older children play outside, for example they are energetic and run, climb, dig and ride on wheeled toys. Staff use events such as the Olympics to effectively interest children in exercise and discuss the benefits for their growth and health. Staff encourage children to be independent and supervise them closely, such as when they freely move between rooms. They remind children how to stay safe, such as not to put knives in their mouth. The nursery is well arranged and all children have space to meet their needs, such as for rest and play. Children independently choose from a good supply of toys and equipment, which helps them lead their own play.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children gain essential skills for their future learning. They count, match and recognise sizes and shapes. Children develop their early writing skills well, for example, they use foam and chalk to make circles and patterns. They show interest in how things work and are willing to try new things. Older children are offered sessions that help them become ready for school, such as listening and speaking in a group and concentration.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500387 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 1073447 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 - 6 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Orchidale Childrens Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01730 813422

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reference number

The Learning Tree, Midhurst, registered in 2016 and is privately owned. It operates from The Masonic Hall in Midhurst, West Sussex. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round. There are 12 members of staff, most of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager and one other member of staff are qualified to degree level. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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