Country Cottage Day Nursery

Country Cottage Day Nursery 194 Butchers Lane, Mereworth, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5QE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 December 2016 5 June 2013

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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 support children's literacy skills well such as when they are able to make their choices in the books they would like to read.  Children make good progress and any gaps in their development are consistently improving. They are happy and enjoy their time at the nursery.  Staff successfully encourage children's understanding of healthy lifestyles further. For instance, they talk to them at mealtimes about the importance of nutritious food and the effect on their bodies.  Staff provide regular opportunities to involve parents in their children's learning. For example, they have daily discussions and share development records. This helps parents to continue with their children's learning at home.  The provider evaluates her service well. She recognises areas of weakness, identifies effective training for staff and sets targets for improvement. This helps develop the quality of the provision and provides good outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The provider's staff monitoring processes are not consistently highly successful to help identify very precise areas of development and improve their practice even further.  Staff do not make the most of opportunities to help children learn about each other's backgrounds and diversity.

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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 good support for staff to help identify highly effective targeted development plans to improve their skills further  increase opportunities for children to learn about other people's similarities and differences.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning and development.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation including suitability checks and children's records.  The inspector held discussions with the provider and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to parents and children.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure understanding of the signs that would cause them concern about a child's welfare and the processes to follow. The provider oversees children's progress well. This helps identify any gaps in development early and ensure staff provide the appropriate support. She has secure recruitment and vetting processes in place. For example, she conducts interviews and completes the relevant checks. Staff work well with other settings and professionals to help support children's individual needs. They complete thorough risk assessments of their environment, which helps to identify and minimise any hazards.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff effectively support children's learning and development. They use the information from the development assessments well to plan for their next stage in learning. Staff successfully support children's mathematical development. For example, they count the legs of an octopus and then add up all their own legs together. Staff skilfully reshape activities to keep children's motivation and interest in their learning. For instance, they encourage children to get some water to add to sand, so they can build sandcastles. Staff use questions well to help children think for themselves and extend their understanding. They sensitively support them during their imaginary play such as enabling children to use different materials and textures in role play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide a stimulating and welcoming environment. Children form secure emotional attachments and positive relationships with them. Staff successfully help children manage their behaviour. For example, they get down to their level, providing them with clear explanations and encouraging them to share and help each other. Staff support children's physical health well. For instance, they provide daily opportunities for them to be physically active and children willingly move in a variety of ways during their music sessions. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For instance, staff remind them about using equipment safely and practise regular emergency procedures with them.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make progress that is appropriate for their age and gain the skills they need to be ready for their move to school. They build their communication and language skills well. For example, they are confident to talk about their wider experiences and ask simple questions, while babies start to use basic words. Younger children develop their physical development well. For instance, they use spoons to tip and pour rice into containers. Children enthusiastically sing nursery rhymes and do the actions to seasonal songs, which helps to encourage their listening and attention skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY298180 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1061853 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Claire Ruth Dolley

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 June 2013 Telephone number 01622 812013

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reference number

Country Cottage Day Nursery registered in 2004 and operates in Maidstone, Kent. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, throughout the year. There are five members of staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications. This includes four staff with a qualification at level 3 and one member of staff with a qualification level 4. The provider 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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