The Balsam Nursery

The Balsam Nursery The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9HB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2016 22 April 2014

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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 provider and staff carefully monitor children's progress and achievements, enabling them to close any gaps in children's learning quickly. They work closely with other agencies to support children who have additional needs or who speak English as an additional language. All children make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are effective. Staff provide parents with useful information and encourage them to share their children's achievements at home. This contributes to meeting children's needs successfully.  Children are happy and settle quickly. They form a strong attachment to their key person and staff, which successfully supports their emotional development.  Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and develop. They use their knowledge successfully to plan a wide range of learning experiences and activities to ensure positive outcomes for children.  Staff are good role models for children. They are kind and gentle in their approach,

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This provision is good

teaching children how to behave. Children's behaviour is good.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff miss opportunities for children to become familiar with words, numbers and learn about the natural world.  Occasionally, staff do not give children sufficient time to think about and respond to questions, and to share their own ideas and experiences.

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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

 make better use of the whole environment for children to become familiar with words, numbers and learn about the natural world  make the most of opportunities to extend children's learning by giving them more time to answer questions and share their ideas.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and spoke to staff, children and parents.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's learning records and safeguarding procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility to keep children safe. Staff know what to do if they have a concern about a child in their care. There are thorough vetting and recruitment procedures in place. Effective induction procedures and ongoing supervision ensure that staff remain suitable to work with children. The provider monitors staff's performance well and supports their professional development. For example, training on encouraging positive behaviour has enabled staff to develop strategies and build partnerships with parents to work together to manage behaviour. The provider and staff use self-evaluation to evaluate the quality of the provision effectively and prioritise areas for development. For example, to develop the outdoor environment further to support children's all-round learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and use their interests effectively to engage them in activities and extend their learning. Children thoroughly enjoy using their senses to explore and investigate. For example, they use a variety of toys and resources as they play in the sand. They identify colours and learn about size as they fill different containers. Staff introduce words such as 'big' and 'small' as the children play, which supports their mathematical language. Children learn the importance of working as a team to get tasks done. For example, they take it in turns to hold the dustpan and sweep the sand up with a brush. Staff consistently give good levels of support during children's independent play. For example, babies receive lots of individual attention that helps them to find their voices and develop their physical skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have daily opportunities to benefit from physical activities and fresh air. They follow thorough hygiene routines, understanding the importance of hand washing after playing outside and before eating meals. Children are kind to one another, sharing toys and resources happily. Staff give the children lots of praise and encouragement. They recognise when children do a kind act by placing a leaf on the tree of kindness. This boosts children's confidence and self-esteem successfully.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop the necessary skills for future learning and school. Older children skilfully copy letters to write their name. Younger children excitedly sing songs and join in with actions. Children count in routines and activities, and they recognise numerals. Children listen well to stories and enjoy looking at books on their own or with their friends. Children are independent. For example, they dress themselves when they go outside to play and manage their self-care skills for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396423 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1068956 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 - 4 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person Robert Eric Green

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 April 2014 Telephone number 0196331688

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reference number

The Balsam Nursery registered in 2009. It is situated in the Balsam Centre, close to the centre of Wincanton, in Somerset. The Balsam Nursery is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round apart from bank holidays and Christmas. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 17 members of staff, including the owner. Of these, three staff have a qualification at level 5, four have a qualification at level 4, seven are qualified to level 3, and two staff have a qualification at level 2.

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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

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

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