A.G.N.E.S Day Nursery

A.G.N.E.S Day Nursery Church Hall, United Reformed Church, Church Street, Bocking, BRAINTREE, Essex, CM7 5LH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 December 2016 4 February 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Following the last inspection, the two managers and the staff team have shown a strong commitment to making improvements to the nursery. They have worked hard and acted on suggestions from local authority advisers to raise the quality of teaching. Staff review the effectiveness of the changes made and the ongoing development plans identify ambitious ideas for further improvements.  Children enjoy taking part in a variety of activities and experiences. They are curious and eager to explore, both indoors and outside. Children make good progress and effectively develop the skills they need for future learning.  Children have developed secure attachments with the staff. Cuddles and hugs are shared and this nurturing approach helps young children settle and feel safe.  Partnerships with parents are strong. Information is shared to ensure that key persons have a good all-round picture of children's development. Staff give parents ideas for

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This provision is good

learning experiences they can offer their children at home. Parents also join nursery sessions to take part in activities with their children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although staff have effective links with the local school, they have not established highly successful partnerships with all the other early years settings that children attend to fully promote consistency in their learning.

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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

 build on the partnerships with other early years settings that children also attend and promote greater continuity in children's learning and development between settings.

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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.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with one of the managers.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children.  The inspector viewed a sample of the children's development records.  The inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the staff, self- evaluation, risk assessment and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a good awareness of their roles and responsibilities in protecting children. They know the steps to take if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Risk assessment is carried out effectively to ensure children remain safe and secure. Staff are vigilant and ensure children are well supervised, both indoors and outside. All staff complete the appropriate suitability checks. The managers have regular supervision meetings with staff. Frequent observations of staff's practice highlight any training needs. The well-qualified staff have recently attended a number of training events and workshops. Staff use their new knowledge to enrich their practice, enhance the learning environment and to improve the outcomes for children. The views of parents and children are also sought to raise standards in the nursery. Parents are very eager to make comments about the care and learning the staff provide. They

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

particularly praise the way staff prepare their children for starting school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. The playroom and outdoor area are planned well to promote high levels of motivation, exploration and allow children to follow their interests. Children's vocabulary is developing quickly and they have good interaction with the staff. They use mathematical terms as they count or sort and categorise items according to size and colour. A good variety of outings in the locality is used to help develop children's understanding of the world they live in. Staff accurately observe and assess children's learning and track the progress they make. The managers have a good overview of the development of both individual children and groups of different children. This ensures that no child gets left behind.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. They learn to share and show consideration for others. Staff are good role models and help children learn to be patient and listen while others are speaking. Children become independent as they select their toys, manage their lunch boxes and help themselves to drinks. They are provided with a good range of balanced and nutritious snacks which helps to promote the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Staff provide daily opportunities for children to be active and access fresh air. This helps support their physical development. They practise moving in various ways, such as balancing, running and kicking a ball.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points, including children who have special educational needs or disabilities. Children are eager to gain new knowledge and ask enquiring questions. They show a growing interest in books and enthusiastically take part in the repetitive sections of their favourite stories. Children practise new rhymes and are building up a wide repertoire of Christmas songs. They are friendly and sociable and show consideration for others. These skills help to prepare children well for future learning and in readiness for starting full-time education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY339356 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1042973 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person A.G.N.E.S. Day Nursery

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 February 2016 Telephone number 07804 700 557

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reference number

A.G.N.E.S Day Nursery was registered in 2006 and is run by group of trustees. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 46 weeks of the year. Sessions are between 8.30am and 4pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children who have special educational needs or disabilities.

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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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