Head Start Day Nursery

Head Start Day Nursery 54 Abington Grove, NORTHAMPTON, NN1 4QU

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 October 2016 30 October 2013

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children are keen to join in with activities in this rich, challenging learning environment. They show high levels of curiosity, imagination and concentration. Confident in their own abilities, they are keen to share their knowledge and ideas through conversations.  Staff know all the children well. They complete regular observations and assessments to identify what children can do and their next steps for learning. Staff use the information to effectively plan learning experiences that promote children's development.  Partnerships with parents are well established. There are good two-way systems for sharing information about children's needs and achievements. Staff keep parents well informed about children's development. Parents are very positive about the nursery and the staff. They comment that their children are happy and make good progress.  The nursery has effective leadership and management. There is a strong team spirit

p.1

This provision is good

and everyone is motivated to continually improve the quality of the nursery. The manager monitors the quality of the provision well and identifies areas for further improvement.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The progress of different groups of children is not consistently analysed in order to help promptly identify and address any gaps in achievement that may arise.  The monitoring of staff performance is not sharply focused on raising the quality of teaching to the highest level.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen the consistency of the monitoring of the progress made by different groups of children to quickly identify any gaps that may emerge and help them all to make the best progress possible  sharpen the focus on performance management so that staff have more opportunities to build on their practice, in order to raise the quality of teaching to outstanding.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the management team.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, discussed self-evaluation and viewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team and staff are well qualified and experienced. They use their knowledge and understanding to fully implement the requirements of the early years foundation stage. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if they are concerned that a child is at risk of harm. Policies and procedures are fully implemented and children's safety and well-being are given high priority. Staff receive support and guidance from the management team as they participate in meetings, supervision and appraisals.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. Staff plan a wide range of purposeful activities across all areas of learning. They provide a range of interesting and stimulating resources for children to use. Children learn through active play and exploration. For example, they excitedly compare which car travels fastest as they push them through tubes and see how pretend bugs change when observed through magnifiers. Babies and toddlers have great fun joining in with singing and action rhymes and enjoy cuddling up to listen to stories. Staff place a high emphasis on supporting children's language and sensitively respond to the babbles that babies make in order to support their communication skills. Older children attempt to write their own name and focus on letters and sounds, demonstrating their emerging literacy skills.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have created a very warm, nurturing setting. Children confidently enter the nursery and are quick to settle and start playing. The impact of the setting's focus on the social and emotional development of children is evident. Settling-in arrangements and transitions to the next rooms are well planned and facilitated according to the individual needs of the child. The key-person system is well established and effective. This helps to foster positive relationships with children and their parents. Children behave well and show kindness, concern and respect to others. Staff encourage children to share and take turns using strategies, such as timers. This helps children develop good personal and social skills. Children are encouraged to play outside. They are learning that fresh air and exercise can be fun as they kick balls, ride vehicles and use their pretend cooking skills in the mud kitchen.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident, self-assured and really enjoy learning. Staff promote equality and diversity well and children enjoy activities based around cultural festivals. Home learning is well supported through the use of strategies, such as taking home book bags. Children of all abilities, including those who speak English as an additional language, are developing the skills and attitudes needed to prepare them well for their move on to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY365921 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1065084 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 - 5 Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 117 Name of registered person Head Start Day Nursery

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 October 2013 Telephone number 01604 791901

p.4

reference number

Head Start Day Nursery was registered in 2007. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 3 and 4. The manager holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5