Sunflowers Nursery School

Sunflowers Nursery School Old School House, Church Lane, Saxilby, LINCOLN, LN1 2PE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 October 2016 12 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

 Staff make accurate assessments of children's achievements and use this information to plan challenging activities for each child. The manager monitors children's progress from their starting points to ensure that every child progresses well across all areas of learning.  Children benefit from a learning environment that is bright, welcoming and thoughtfully presented. They are highly motivated and explore freely during indoor and outdoor play.  Staff effectively meet the needs of children who have special educational needs or disability and those who speak English as an additional language. Additional support is put in place quickly when required to ensure all children make consistently good progress.  The key-person system is firmly embedded and used effectively to ensure that all children feel safe and secure in their surroundings.  Partnerships with parents have a positive impact on children's learning and

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This provision is good

development. There are good two-way systems for sharing information about children's needs and achievements. Staff keep parents well informed about how their children are developing and give them ideas about how to support their child's learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff working with toddlers do not consistently use the correct pronunciation of words to ensure children are skilfully supported to develop their communication and language skills.  The manager does not yet critically evaluate staff's teaching skills enough to develop their practice to an outstanding level.

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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

 promote a more consistent approach to supporting toddlers' developing language and communication skills  make better use of the programme for professional development and supervision of staff, so that it focuses more specifically on developing staff teaching skills to an outstanding level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She talked to children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the assistant manager and held discussions with the provider and all other members of staff.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and assistant manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the policies, children's learning journals and registers.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector saw evidence of the qualifications and suitability of all persons working on the premises and other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are confident about how to keep children safe from harm and are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Thorough recruitment procedures help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. All staff are involved in the evaluation of practice. They are encouraged to discuss areas for development openly and honestly. Furthermore, parents' comments are also gathered. The manager meets with each member of staff to discuss children's progress and welfare. Regular staff meetings focus on quality and improvement, with everyone working together successfully as a team to maintain good standards.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Qualified staff provide a good mix of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Overall, children's learning is skilfully extended because staff know the children's needs well. Staff keep a close check on individual children's progress and plan carefully to support their next steps in learning. Babies enjoy the closeness of being cuddled and have good opportunities to explore different types of materials and textures in their play. Older children benefit from a wide range of learning opportunities that encourages their curiosity and imagination. Staff challenge children, promoting their listening and thinking skills. For example, children explore a nearby tyre that has been filled with hidden resources and squeal with delight when they find bugs. Staff play alongside them and question their knowledge, which supports them to investigate and learn about the natural world.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children play and explore happily and with confidence. The key-person system is well established and children settle quickly into the setting. Good links with local schools mean that information about children's achievements is shared effectively, promoting continuity of care and learning. Children relish learning outdoors. They regularly go outside for fresh air and use a wide range of good quality equipment. Children develop good coordination skills as they use the equipment provided. They develop a good understanding of healthy foods as they discuss this with staff at mealtimes. Lunchtime is a social occasion where children choose to sit next to their friends. Older children learn to manage their personal hygiene well. Behaviour is good. Staff set clear boundaries and are consistent with their expectations that children treat each other with respect and kindness.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children benefit from a wealth of opportunities that supports their all-round development. They make consistently good progress from their starting points. Children socialise well, working cooperatively together through practical activities, such as bathing the setting's tortoise. Early mathematical skills are taught well. Children learn about the vocabulary of shapes, sizes and colours, taking turns in using utensils and equipment. Children are developing good independence and key skills, helping prepare them well for their next steps in learning and eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY388910 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 1059832 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 80 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person Sunflower Smile Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 October 2012 Telephone number 01522 702155

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reference number

Sunflowers Nursery School was registered in 2009. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 21 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including three with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and a week over Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am 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

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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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