The Learning Tree - Sissinghurst

The Learning Tree- Sissinghurst The Learning Tree Nursery, Common Road, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2BH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 March 2017 11 February 2015

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff provide a welcoming and well-resourced environment that effectively supports children to learn through play. Staff ensure daily experiences reflect children's interests well. This helps children to become motivated and enthusiastic learners.  Staff develop exceptionally strong emotional bonds with children from the start. They are sensitive and caring, and offer an abundance of support and encouragement. Children are extremely happy, settled and secure. They display high levels of confidence and self-esteem while in the nursery.  The manager leads a skilled and dedicated team of professionals. They work together effectively to monitor and track individual children's progress. Any gaps are targeted and staff ensure that activities link children's developmental and care needs.  Staff work well in partnerships with other professionals. For example, they regularly

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This provision is good

share information which helps to provide continuity in children's care and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some staff do not consistently use agreed strategies to support and build on children's development further.  The manager has not fully developed systems to give regular information to parents, meaning that some parents are unaware of current health and safety procedures.

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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

 ensure all staff consistently use agreed strategies to further support individual children's development  build on the effective partnerships with parents to ensure that they are fully aware of and engaged in nursery practices and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interacting with children during free play and planned activities.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector discussed, with the setting's special educational needs coordinator, how individual children's development is supported.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including children's developmental records and the policies and procedures.  The inspector discussed with parents aspects of the setting's practice.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff are fully committed to protecting children's welfare. They have a good understanding of the procedures to follow if they have any concerns. Staff are knowledgeable about the importance of recognising areas of concern. Their close relationships with the children mean that any changes in behaviour are monitored effectively. Staff are supported well to develop their skills and knowledge. For example, the manager oversees the tracking of key groups to help identify any training needs to further support staff in developing their practice. The manager evaluates aspects of the nursery well. She gains parents' and children's views and uses these to help her consider what is working well and any areas for further development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff maintain a stimulating environment and use real-life resources to motivate children's curiosity and learning. For example, staff showed children the blossom on a tree which motivated them to discuss and consider the resources they will use to decorate a paper tree. Staff effectively observe children in their play and welcome parents' contributions to help them recognise children's achievements. Staff make precise assessments of children's skills and plan purposeful experiences to support their progress. Overall, staff are good teachers. They successfully extend children's play experiences to support learning and development. For example, staff use simple questions to encourage children to consider how to mix and create new colours with the paints available.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children play exceptionally well together and show respect and concern for their peers. For example, children approach their friends who are less sure and encourage them to join in the play. Children behave extremely well. Staff are excellent role models and give endless encouragement to children to help them consider the impact their behaviours can have on others. Children develop an excellent understanding of how to keep healthy. For example, children are actively involved in planting and growing fruit which they later eat as healthy snacks. Staff are skilled at working with children to help them develop an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, staff support the children to decide how to manage their use of spades in the sand pit.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident and keen learners; they seek out new experiences and persevere at simple challenges. Children benefit from lots of opportunities to develop independence and skills in self-care. For example, without prompting, children wipe sand off their feet before putting on their socks and shoes. Children are developing important skills to prepare them for the next stage in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY424358 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1085937 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Anna Mary Reiss

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 February 2015 Telephone number 01580 712214

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reference number

The Learning Tree- Sissinghurst Nursery registered in 2011. It is located in the grounds of Sissinghurst Church of England Primary School, Kent. It is open each weekday from 9am to 12pm, and until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, during school term times only. There are eight members of staff, including the nursery owner, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager holds a level 6 qualification. Six other staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one member staff with qualified teacher status. The nursery receives funding for the provision of 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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