Explorers Day Nursery

Explorers Day Nursery 56 Bath Road, Wells, Somerset, BA5 3LQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 January 2017 27 January 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

 Children are happy, confident and settle quickly. Staff provide a warm, welcoming environment where children build good relationships with one another and staff. Children display high levels of self-esteem and feel emotionally secure.  The management team works well with staff to monitor children's learning and development effectively. They use children's individual interests and next steps to plan a wide range of activities, which build on skills and close any gaps in learning. All children make good progress.  Staff work effectively with other professionals and early years settings. They regularly share information to ensure children receive the support they need and settle easily when they start school.  Self-evaluation is effective. The management team and staff reflect well on their practice and identify areas for improvement to ensure positive outcomes for children. For example, staff now include children's next steps in planning each day.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management team does not ensure that staff gain detailed information about what children already know and can do when they first attend, to help them establish children's starting points and inform planning as soon as possible.  At times, staff do not encourage older children to do things for themselves, such as manage their care needs, to build on their independence further.

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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

 consult parents further about their children's development when they first attend, to build further on what children already know and can do from the outset  encourage older children to manage tasks for themselves to build on their independence further.

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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 the owner, 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. The management team and staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibility to keep children safe. They keep up to date with changes to safeguarding legislation, recognise the signs or symptoms that may be a cause for concern and are aware of the correct reporting procedure to follow. There are thorough recruitment and vetting procedures, and effective systems to ensure staff's ongoing suitability. The management team supports staff well to attend training to update their knowledge and improve the quality of teaching. For example, following training staff have developed activities outside, such as the introduction of a bug garden and a 'fairy' garden to support children's exploration and investigation of the outdoor environment. The management team ensures that staff provide parents with regular information about their children's progress, which helps parents to support their children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and use children's individual interests to capture their imagination effectively. Staff support older children successfully in their imaginative play in the 'hairdressing salon'. For example, children develop their early writing skills as they make appointments for their 'clients'. They pretend to talk on the telephone and develop good social skills as they take it in turns to be the customer and the hairstylist. Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, they encourage younger children to fill containers with water and investigate what happens to ice, using words such as 'melt' to support their learning and extend their vocabulary.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have daily opportunities to benefit from fresh air and physical exercise. Staff teach them well about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. For example, they provide children with a balanced range of nutritious snacks and meals, and talk to them about foods that are good for them. Staff are good role models for children. They give children lots of praise and encouragement for their achievements, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem effectively. Children are kind to one another. They share resources and take turns. For example, they help one another to pick the sprouts they have planted in the garden. Children's behaviour is good.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children develop the skills they need for the next stage of their development and school. They are confident communicators. They ask questions, are inquisitive and motivated to learn. They join in with stories, repeating familiar phrases and anticipating what might happen next. Older children learn to count in routines and activities. For example, they add different quantities of ingredients together to make cakes with staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY462695 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1069306 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Victoria Louise Weeks

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 January 2014 Telephone number 01749676215

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reference number

Explorers Day Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery operates from a converted house situated in Wells in Somerset. It is open each weekday from 7.30am until 6pm all year round, except for a week at Christmas. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. There are eight members of staff employed, including the owner and manager; of these, seven hold a level 3 qualification.

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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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